Ojjeh was born in 1952, the son of Akram Ojjeh, a Saudi naturalized Syrian businessman and the owner of Techniques d'Avant Garde. His mother was French, and he spent much of his childhood in France. He attended the American School in Paris, graduating in 1974 with a degree in Business Administration from Menlo College in California, and later gained a master's degree at Santa Clara University. He had four siblings.
After graduating, Ojjeh became CEO of TAG Group, which operated primarily in Europe and the Middle East, investing in sectors such as motor racing, aviation and watchmaking. The firm brokered deals between France and Saudi Arabia, particularly in defense systems. In 1985, Ojjeh bought Heuer, a Swiss watchmaker, leading to the creation of the TAG Heuer brand. LVMH Moёt Hennessy Louis Vuitton bought the brand in 1999 for $740 million. Ojjeh assumed the presidency of TAG Group after his father’s death in 1991.
Ojjeh's interest in motorsport began at the 1978 Monaco Grand Prix, where he was a guest of the Saudi Arabian royal family, sponsors of Williams Racing. He brokered a sponsorship deal between TAG Group and Williams in 1979. With the influx of capital invested by Ojjeh’s TAG Group, Williams Engineering Director Patrick Head was able to design a competitive car, the Williams FW07. The car was successful, securing victory in the 1979 British Grand Prix with Clay Regazzoni. Under Ojjeh’s sponsorship, Williams secured championships with Alan Jones in 1980 and Keke Rosberg in 1982.
In 1981, Ojjeh met Ron Dennis, CEO of McLaren Group, and became a partner in managing the McLaren racing team, acquiring a 60 percent stake in the company. Ojjeh invested in Porsche-built turbocharged engines under the TAG name. In 1984, the McLaren-TAG Porsche combination won 12 of 16 races, with Niki Lauda winning the championship by half a point. McLaren continued to dominate, with Alain Prost winning championships in 1985 and 1986. The TAG engine usage ended in 1987 when McLaren signed a deal with Honda.
Ojjeh’s involvement with McLaren continued after the end of the TAG-branded engines. The team signed Ayrton Senna on recommendation from Honda. With Honda engines, McLaren secured four constructors' championships and Senna won three drivers' championships, with Prost winning once. Daimler AG acquired 40% of the TAG McLaren Group in 2000, with Dennis and Ojjeh each retaining 30% shares. These shares were later sold to Mumtalakat Holding Company in 2007.
Ojjeh had a double lung transplant in 2013 after suffering from IPF lung disease, returning to full health in 2014. He died on 6 June 2021, at the age of 68. McLaren Racing paid tribute to him at the 2021 French Grand Prix by including his name in their logo and on team caps.
Ojjeh is survived by his wife Kathy, and their four children, Lana, Lia, Sara and Sultan.