Nemir Kirdar facts for kids

Nemir Amin Kirdar (born October 28, 1936 – died June 8, 2020) was a famous banker, businessman, and writer from Iraq. He was known for starting Investcorp, a big company that helps people invest their money around the world. He spent most of his life in London and was a British citizen.

His Early Life

Nemir Kirdar was born in Kirkuk, Iraq. His family, the Kirdars, were important in Iraqi politics a long time ago. He went to school in Baghdad and then to Robert College in Istanbul. He wanted to work in politics in Iraq.

However, a military coup happened in Iraq in 1958. This event changed the government. After the coup, Nemir Kirdar left Iraq and moved to the United States. He joined his cousins there and continued his studies.

His Career Journey

Nemir Kirdar meets David Rockefeller in 1976.

Kirdar with Investcorp's first board of directors in 1982.

Kirdar at the Munich Security Conference in 2013.

Nemir Kirdar finished his economics degree at the University of the Pacific in California in 1960. He started his banking career as a teller in Arizona. Later, he returned to Iraq and started a few businesses.

In 1969, he left Iraq for good and went back to the United States. He settled in New York and continued working in banking. He earned an MBA degree from Fordham University. He then worked for Allied Bank International in Asia. In 1974, he joined Chase Manhattan Bank in New York. From 1976 to 1981, he managed Chase's banking work in the Middle East.

Seeing many chances for growth in the Middle East, Nemir Kirdar started his own company in 1982. He named it Investcorp. This company helps people invest in different things like businesses, real estate, and technology. Investcorp helped connect investors in the Middle East with investment chances in Western countries. Kirdar was the CEO of Investcorp for over 30 years. He retired in 2017.

His Passing

Nemir Kirdar passed away in 2020 at the age of 83.

His Wealth

Nemir Kirdar was a very wealthy man. It was estimated that he had over one billion US dollars. In 2005, he was ranked among the richest people in Britain. He was also listed as one of the most influential Arabs in 2009.

Awards and Recognition

Nemir Kirdar received special honorary doctorates from several universities. These included Fordham University, Georgetown University, the University of the Pacific, and Richmond, The American International University in London.

He was also a member of many important groups and boards. These included the United Nations Investments Committee and the board of trustees for the Brookings Institution. He was also a founding member of the International Business Council at the World Economic Forum.

Books He Wrote

Nemir Kirdar wrote several books:

• Saving Iraq (2009)
• In Pursuit of Fulfilment (2012)
• Need, Respect, Trust: The Memoir of a Vision (2013)

In Film

The actor Youssef Kerkour played Nemir Kirdar in the 2021 movie House of Gucci.