Notable Visits to AUB
Pelé
Widely celebrated as “The Black Pearl,” Pelé visited the American University of Beirut in April 1975, where he met with students and shared football tips on technique and strategy. His presence left a lasting impression, giving students a rare chance to learn directly from one of the world’s greatest athletes and marking a memorable moment in AUB’s cultural and athletic history.
Carlos Slim
Carlos Slim, the Mexican billionaire of Lebanese descent, visited the American University of Beirut (AUB) in March 2010. He delivered a lecture titled “The New Civilization of Knowledge and Technology” at the Suliman Olayan School of Business, addressing an overflow audience of students and faculty. During his talk, Slim emphasized the importance of education and critical thinking in improving the economy.
Salma Hayek
In April 2015, renowned Mexican actress and film producer Salma Hayek visited the Children’s Cancer Center of Lebanon (CCCL), a leading regional institution dedicated to providing free treatment and care to children with cancer. During her visit, Hayek met with young patients and their families, offering words of encouragement and solidarity. Her presence not only brought joy and inspiration to the children but also drew international attention to the center’s mission and the importance of supporting pediatric cancer treatment in Lebanon and the wider Middle East.
Jafet family
After 28 years of immigration, in 1921, Nami Jafet and his family returned to Lebanon, where they visited the American University of Beirut on several occasions. These visits were not only personal homecomings but also meaningful gestures of loyalty and gratitude, reaffirming their enduring bond with the University.
In the years that followed, members of the Jafet family made it a tradition to stop by the Main Library—named in honor of their grandfather, Nami Jafet—paying tribute to his legacy and reinforcing the family’s deep commitment to education, knowledge, and the AUB community.