Abdullah bin Saleh Al Othaim was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, around 1960, into a family with deep roots in the kingdom's commercial history. His father, Saleh Ali Al Othaim, was an enterprising merchant who founded a modest retail business selling foodstuffs in Hillat al-Qasman, Riyadh, in the mid-1950s. This early exposure to the grit and honesty of retail commerce was Abdullah's foundational education.

Unlike his peers who may have finished traditional academic paths, Abdullah’s training was intensely practical. After attending Qadisiyah Primary School, he enrolled in a college but ultimately chose to 'drop out' to work full-time alongside his father. This critical decision—prioritizing hands-on business experience over a formal degree—fast-tracked his immersion into the retail world. This dedication paid off when, following his father's death, he inherited capital but was the only one among his brothers to continue and scale the original retail venture, transforming it into a modern empire.

Abdullah Al Othaim's career is a testament to perseverance and a visionary restructuring of a traditional family business. Following his father's passing, he took the modest retail establishment and, in 1980, founded Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets. The initial challenge was transforming a single, local shop into a scalable, modern chain capable of dominating the rapidly growing Saudi market. His commitment to the values of honesty and trustworthiness, inherited from his father, became the brand's core competitive advantage.

The real metamorphosis began in the early 2000s. Al Othaim strategically diversified the company beyond just grocery stores into a massive, integrated retail and real estate conglomerate. In 2008, he successfully listed 'Abdullah Al-Othaim Markets' on the Tadawul (Saudi stock exchange), a pivotal moment that generated the capital for exponential growth. Concurrently, he established 'Al Othaim Real Estate Investment and Development Company', creating a powerful engine that built the malls (Al Othaim Malls) that would house his retail, entertainment, and fashion ventures.

Abdullah Al Othaim’s deeply held commitment to his faith and community is manifest in the 'Abdullah Saleh Al Othaim & Sons Charitable Foundation'. This non-profit organization was launched to ensure that the family's success translates into sustainable, high-impact charitable work, aligned with the principles of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

The foundation is known for its wide-ranging, structured support initiatives, prioritizing long-term developmental impact over temporary relief. Key philanthropic activities include:

• 'Sustainable Financial Endowments': Directing attention to 'charitable investment endowments in securities' to ensure the foundation's financial growth and longevity, enabling perpetual support for societal issues.
• 'Support for Needy Families': Pioneering initiatives like the 'Magnetic Purchasing Cards' and a program offering consumer goods at subsidized prices through Al Othaim Markets, directly benefiting over 100,000 families.
• The 'Spare Change Donation Program': Launched in 2006 across all Al Othaim Markets branches, this initiative allows customers to donate their spare change to a network of over 15 charities, raising approximately 10 million Saudi Riyals to date.

His efforts have earned him significant recognition, including being the first Arab personality to receive the 'Development Pioneers Medal' from the Arab Parliament in 2022.

Abdullah Al Othaim’s lifestyle is a careful projection of 'successful, principled Saudi business leadership'. His immense wealth, built on providing essential goods and services to the masses, is generally expressed through the scale of his enterprises and his family's commitment to cultural values, rather than personal flamboyance.

His public image is consistently modest and formal. He is usually seen in the traditional, impeccably tailored Saudi attire, the thobe and ghutra/shemagh. This choice reinforces the values of integrity and tradition that he promises to his customers and partners. His luxury is found in his commercial projects: the multi-billion riyal mall and residential developments (like the 'Al Othaim Konoz project') that redefine urban living in Saudi Arabia. Unlike billionaires focused on superyachts or private islands, Al Othaim’s legacy is written in the steel and glass of the nation’s modern commercial centers and the enduring work of his charitable foundation.