Muslim man Marries 58 Times in 50 Years by Majed Al-Kanani, Arab News

Sacrificer           Majed Al-Kanani
Sacrifice code       wfor0240
Sacrifice date       19 March 2004

Muslim man Marries 58 Times in 50 Years
Majed Al-Kanani, Arab News/Asharq Al-Awsat

Saleh Al-Saieri

JEDDAH, 19 March 2004 - In 50 years, Saleh Al-Saieri, a Saudi businessman has married 58 women, including eight Yemenis, and then divorced 54 of them. Every time the wives hear that Al-Saieri has found a new prospect, they begin wondering who is next to go.

Al-Saieri's extended family includes 36 children from 15 wives and he has married into 30 tribes across Saudi Arabia.

As soon as Al-Saieri gets the itch to marry again, he draws lots between the current four wives to choose which one will be divorced. Under Islamic Shariah, he is not allowed to marry more than four wives at a time. Al-Saieri said, "I first got married to my cousin when I was 14 years old because of my father. The ceremony took place in Sharura, southern Saudi Arabia. A few months later, I divorced her even though she gave birth to my first son, Omar. He is now 50 years old and works as an engineer and a businessman."

"Six months later, I married my second wife. I loved her because I had known her when we were young. I started my marriage campaign immediately after the second marriage," he added.

He said, "My wives only meet each other occasionally. Each lives far away from the other. Some of my sons only found out that they were brothers through similarity of names at school."

"I married university graduates and illiterate women. The oldest wife I am married to is 40 and the youngest is 13, who I married just one month ago. She lives in southern Saudi Arabia," he boasted.

"I will stop when I reach wife number 60," he concluded.

An office manager handles all the requirements of the ex-wives and children. Until now, Al-Saieri has forked out SR6 million in payments and wedding expenses.

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