Two Indonesian women, who came to work in Saudi Arabia as domestic helpers, have become millionaires after inheriting millions of riyals from their late Saudi husbands.
The Saudi men initially employed them as domestic helpers but later married them.
One of the women living in Riyadh received SR 5 million last week, while in another case the woman married to a Saudi real estate tycoon was given SR 20 million recently after a Taif court directed the heirs to pay her the amount.
"Thanks to the strict Islamic Shariah system of the Kingdom the two Indonesian women are receiving their shares of inherited wealth," said Shabda Thian, a spokesman of the Indonesian Embassy, here yesterday.
Now these two women are being hailed as real-life rags-to-riches winners as portrayed in the movie "Slumdog Millionaire," Thian said.
Thian refused to name the two women and share specific information about them to protect their privacy and security.
He added that "there are many positive stories about our migrant workers in Saudi Arabia and it is not just torture and abuse that are reported every now and then."
In the first case, the woman came to the Kingdom 11 years ago to work for property tycoon Ali Ayami in Taif.
They married after she worked for him for nearly two years.
The marriage did not last long because the man died. He left behind several plots of land and apartment buildings in Taif.
The Indonesian woman decided to stay in Saudi Arabia until she was able to obtain her inheritance.
"She has already received SR 20 million and is waiting to receive about SR 90 million following the sale of the husband's assets," said another source on condition of anonymity.
Thian said the second woman, 45, inherited SR 6.3 million after her Saudi husband died several months ago. This woman worked as a tailor for her late Saudi sponsor, who owned and operated a large number of toy stores in Riyadh under the name 'Al-Sogel Toys.'
"Her Saudi husband spent some 10 years with her before he died in 2010," said Thian, adding that the embassy is working closely with the parties including the family to settle the matter.
Indonesian women who made it big
