Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson dies at 87
By a Biometrica staffer
Sheldon Adelson, the casino magnate who helped turn Las Vegas into a convention capital, died on Monday night from complications related to non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Adelson was 87.
He went from a teenager selling newspapers on a street corner to becoming a successful entrepreneur. Adelson founded Las Vegas Sands, an internationally renowned developer and operator of integrated resorts.
“In Las Vegas, Macao and Singapore, Mr. Adelson’s vision for integrated resorts transformed the industry, changed the trajectory of the company he founded, and reimagined tourism in each of those markets. His impact on the industry will be everlasting,” the company said in a statement on its website.
Las Vegas Sands, which created the meetings, incentives, convention and exhibition (MICE)-based integrated resort, operates iconic properties like the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, and the Venetian and Sands Expo in Las Vegas.
“Mr. Adelson was the first employee of Las Vegas Sands – “Team Member Number One” he liked to say. Today, more than 50,000 Sands team members have Dr. Adelson and the entire Adelson family in their thoughts and prayers and are grateful to have had their lives touched by a true force of nature,” the company added about its chairman and CEO, who had either started or been involved in over 50 different enterprises through his life.
When the pandemic disrupted daily routines and dramatically impacted his business, Adelson was adamant that his ‘Team Members’ across the globe continue to receive full pay and health care benefits, even while the buildings in which they worked were closed, Las Vegas Sands said.
“Sheldon was the love of my life… He was my soulmate… Visit any of our hotels and you will immediately notice the extraordinarily high ceilings, exquisitely designed by Sheldon at a sacrifice of lucrative space. He wanted all of our guests – no matter their means – to feel like kings, to breathe free in gorgeous tranquility,” his wife Dr Miriam Adelson said in a statement.
The family asks for privacy as they mourn Adelson’s passing, Las Vegas Sands added.