Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson has died at the age of 87.
Adelson died on Monday night after complications from his treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Las Vegas Sands said in a statement regarding the death of the company’s chairman and chief executive officer.
“It is with unbearable pain that I announce the death of my husband, Sheldon G. Adelson, of complications from a long illness,” his wife, Dr. Miriam Adelson, said in a Tuesday statement provided by Las Vegas Sands to the Las Vegas Review-Journal. “To me — as to his children, grandchildren, and his legions of friends and admirers, employees and colleagues — he is utterly irreplaceable.”
Adelson served as the chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands after founding the company in 1988. Under his leadership, the model it pioneered, combining hotel casinos and convention centers, made him and his family one of the world’s wealthiest families. His casino ventures stretch from Las Vegas to Macau, China.
Adelson, who was raised by immigrant parents in a poor section of Boston in the 1930s, entered the business world at 12 years old when he borrowed money from his uncle to buy a newspaper corner.
Even as his company took a hit amid the coronavirus pandemic, Las Vegas Sands Corporation continued to provide full pay and benefits to all of its employees.
In addition to his conservative values, Adelson was also an ardent supporter of Israel, which is the birthplace of his wife. A funeral will be held there, while a memorial service will also be held in Las Vegas at a later date.
Adelson had been known to contribute generously to conservative causes over the years. He donated more than a quarter of a billion dollars to Republican political candidates and super PACs in the past five years alone, according to the Associated Press. Adelson and his wife gave $75 million to a new super PAC that attacked then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
He owned the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Israeli daily newspaper Israel Hayom, and the weekly paper Mayor Rishon.
“Melania and I mourn the passing of Sheldon Adelson, and send our heartfelt condolences to his wife Miriam, his children and grandchildren,” President Trump said in a statement honoring Adelson. “Sheldon lived the true American dream. His ingenuity, genius, and creativity earned him immense wealth, but his character and philanthropic generosity his great name. Sheldon was also a staunch supporter of our great ally the State of Israel. He tirelessly advocated for the relocation of the United States embassy to Jerusalem, the recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, and the pursuit of peace between Israel and its neighbors. Sheldon was true to his family, his country, and all those that knew him. The world has lost a great man. He will be missed.”
Former President George W. Bush said in a statement that he and former first lady Laura Bush “mourn the passing of a friend” who “battled his way out of a tough Boston neighborhood to build a successful enterprise that loyally employed tens of thousands — and entertained millions. He was an American patriot, a generous benefactor of charitable causes, and a strong supporter of Israel.”
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy echoed those sentiments, saying, “Today the world mourns the loss of one of the greatest, most generous businessmen in history. Sheldon Adelson had a deep love of country, love of community, and love of Israel. Born into a working-class home in Boston, he understood what it meant to work hard, build a business, and give back to the community. His life made him a fearless advocate for freedom and entrepreneurship and a source of counsel and support to a generation of conservatives, including me. I was honored to call Sheldon a friend. I will always look back fondly on our time together and reflect on his wisdom in the future.”
