Anwar Zakkour: The Untold Story of a Global Investment Banker and Private Investor

In the world of finance and investment banking, few names carry the weight of credibility, sophistication, and resilience like Anwar Zakkour. Born in Beirut, Lebanon, during one of the most turbulent times in the country’s history, Zakkour’s journey from a young student escaping civil war to becoming a top Wall Street dealmaker and eventually a private investor is nothing short of remarkable. Over the decades, he has played pivotal roles in multi-billion-dollar transactions, advised some of the world’s largest corporations, and established himself as a strategic voice in global finance.

This article explores who Anwar Zakkour is, his age, career trajectory, financial worth, family ties, relationships, and his life beyond boardrooms.

Who is Anwar Zakkour?

Anwar Zakkour is a Lebanese-born investor, banker, and advisor with more than three decades of experience in high-stakes finance. His career spans across Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, and Bank of America Merrill Lynch, where he rose to the prestigious position of Global Head of TMT (Technology, Media, and Telecommunications) Investment Banking. In that role, he oversaw major transactions that reshaped global media and telecom industries.

Zakkour later transitioned into the role of Chief Investment Officer at Majid Al Futtaim Retail, a major Middle Eastern conglomerate. Eventually, he shifted his focus to private investments, entrepreneurship, and advisory work with firms such as 25madison, where he is listed as a Senior Advisor.

Beyond the corporate world, Zakkour has also been recognized as a board member, investor, and even a producer, dabbling in creative projects. His story is not only about financial acumen but also about resilience, adaptability, and building bridges across different industries.

Early Life, Background, and Education

Anwar Zakkour was born in 1963 in Beirut, Lebanon, into a family that valued education and resilience. He grew up with a twin sister and attended Collège des Frères Maristes Champville, a prestigious institution known for academic rigor. However, the outbreak of the Lebanese Civil War in 1975 forced his family to relocate to Copenhagen, Denmark when he was around 12 years old.

The transition from Beirut to Copenhagen was life-changing. Initially, Zakkour pursued medical studies but later realized that his calling lay in business and finance. He enrolled at the Copenhagen Business School, and later expanded his education at ESCP Business School (formerly ESCP Europe), where he studied across campuses in Paris, Berlin, and Oxford. This cosmopolitan educational experience gave him both the academic foundation and the international outlook needed for a career on Wall Street.

Age of Anwar Zakkour

Born in 1963, Anwar Zakkour is currently 62 years old (as of 2025). Despite his age, he remains active in the world of investments and advisory, proving that his expertise continues to hold value across generations of business leaders.

Career Journey and Major Achievements

Early Career in Finance

Zakkour’s first steps into global finance began in Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) roles in Europe and New York. He worked with elite firms, including Morgan Stanley and J.P. Morgan, where he rose to the rank of Vice Chairman of Investment Banking.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch

Perhaps his most notable role came when he joined Bank of America Merrill Lynch (BAML) in 2013 as the Global Head of TMT Investment Banking. Under his leadership, the division shifted from being primarily debt-financing driven to a full-fledged investment banking powerhouse.

He was instrumental in deals such as:

• The NBC Universal sale to Comcast.
• The acquisition of Dow Jones by News Corporation.
• The Live Nation and Ticketmaster merger, reshaping global entertainment.

These transactions alone positioned him as one of the most influential voices in the TMT sector on Wall Street.

Majid Al Futtaim Retail

After his Wall Street career, Zakkour took on the role of Chief Investment Officer at Majid Al Futtaim, a leading Middle East retail giant. Here, he applied his expertise in portfolio management, acquisitions, and capital strategy, solidifying his reputation as not just a dealmaker but also a visionary investment strategist.

Current Roles

• Senior Advisor at 25madison, where he mentors startups and growth-stage businesses.
• Independent Director at Falcon Capital Acquisition Corp. II, according to Marketscreener.
• Private investor with a diversified portfolio, spanning finance, retail, media, and creative ventures.

Net Worth of Anwar Zakkour

When it comes to Anwar Zakkour’s net worth, the numbers are not publicly available in official financial disclosures. However, given his senior roles in top investment banks, his participation in billion-dollar transactions, and his transition into private investments, it is reasonable to infer that his net worth is in the multi-million dollar range.

Blogs and business sites often speculate about his wealth, but these are estimates rather than verified figures. Unlike many public figures, Zakkour has preferred to keep his personal finances private, focusing instead on his professional achievements and investments.

Family and Personal Life

Parents and Father

Public information about Anwar Zakkour’s father and parents is limited. What is clear is that his upbringing in Beirut and subsequent migration to Denmark during the civil war played a central role in shaping his resilience and ambition.

Relationships and Marriage

Zakkour’s personal life has occasionally surfaced in the media, particularly due to his connections with public figures and his children’s appearances in reality TV. Reports suggest that he was married at one point, with some sources referencing a connection to Dina Azar, though this is not widely corroborated.

He has also been associated with Elizabeth “Liz” Williams, an art collector and the mother of his son, Charlie.

Children (Kids)

Zakkour’s most well-known child is Charlie Zakkour, who appears on the reality TV series Next Gen NYC. Charlie has drawn attention to the Zakkour family, linking his father’s elite financial background to a more glamorous, modern-day media presence.

Some blogs also mention a daughter, Oonagh Zakkour, though details are scarce and largely unverified.

Public Image and Media Presence

Unlike many high-profile bankers, Anwar Zakkour has largely avoided the limelight. His name is mostly tied to corporate filings, board memberships, and news about major financial transactions. However, recent appearances of his son in reality TV have placed the Zakkour name in more lifestyle-oriented publications.

Interestingly, Zakkour also has credits on IMDb as a producer, linked to projects such as Fragments (2017) and Next Gen NYC (2025). This suggests a willingness to support creative endeavors alongside financial ventures.

Challenges and Recent Developments

In 2025, a public bankruptcy court filing under the name Anwar N. Zakkour surfaced in New Jersey, raising questions about his financial situation. The filing involved Chapter 11 proceedings, though it is unclear how directly it connects to his broader investments.

While the details remain complex, this development highlights the unpredictable nature of financial and investment careers, even for seasoned executives.

Legacy and Influence

Anwar Zakkour’s legacy lies in his ability to adapt—shifting from Lebanon to Europe, from medicine to finance, from Wall Street to private investment. His career has been marked by resilience, global adaptability, and a sharp eye for strategic opportunities.

Today, he stands as a symbol of how determination and education can enable individuals from war-torn regions to succeed at the highest levels of international business.

Conclusion

From his humble beginnings in Beirut to becoming a Wall Street powerhouse and later a private investor, Anwar Zakkour’s journey exemplifies resilience, adaptability, and ambition. Though much about his personal life remains private, his career speaks volumes about his influence in shaping industries, building companies, and advising leaders.

As media coverage grows through his children and his occasional public ventures, the world is likely to hear more about the Zakkour name in the years ahead.

This article is published by digijournal.