Sheldon Adelson, Billionaire Conservative Donor And Casino Mogul, Dies At 87

Billionaire casino mogul and conservative mega-donor Sheldon Adelson died Monday from complications related to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. He was 87.

Adelson was the founder and CEO of the hospitality company Las Vegas Sands Corp., which went public in 2004. Las Vegas Sands has the resorts The Venetian and The Palazzo, which are located on the Las Vegas Strip. The company also has properties in Asia.

“Born to immigrant parents and raised in a poor section of Boston, Mr. Adelson went from a teenager selling newspapers on a street corner to becoming one of the world's most successful entrepreneurs,” read an announcement from his company.

Forbes has reported Adelson’s net worth at around $35 billion.

Adelson was known for his unwavering support for Republican candidates and pro-Israel causes. He purchased the Las Vegas Review-Journal in 2015, raising questions about Adelson’s influence on the newspaper’s political and business coverage.

Adelson most recently made headlines as a top donor and personal friend of President Trump. The outspoken entrepreneur had encouraged a controversial policy shift that officially moved the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. Adelson was also a strident supporter of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Adelson contributed more than $420 million to Republican candidates and organizations in 2020.

Because of his willingness to put his money where his politics were, Adelson was seen as both a champion among Republicans and a symbol of the influence of big money.

Former President George W. Bush issued a statement calling Adelson a "patriot."

“He was an American patriot and a strong supporter of Israel,” Bush said. “Sheldon was a generous benefactor of charitable causes, especially medical research and Jewish heritage education. He will be missed by many—none more than his beloved family."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised Adelson’s classic success story.

“He climbed from sleeping on tenement floors during the Great Depression as a young boy to literally towering over Las Vegas and beyond. He created countless jobs in the process. And he poured his success into philanthropy,” McConnell said.

Adelson and his wife Miriam Adelson contributed millions to medical research and other nonpolitical philanthropic causes.

Adelson is survived by Miriam Adelson and five children, including three adopted in his first marriage.

His funeral will be held in Israel and a memorial will be held in Las Vegas.