Sheldon Adelson built a sprawling global empire centered on casino resorts and convention centers, starting from a modest childhood in Boston. By leveraging massive capital investments and high-stakes expansion into Macau and Singapore, he fundamentally reshaped the landscape of international gaming and business infrastructure before his death in 2021 at the age of 87 in Malibu.
Early Ventures and COMDEX
Born in 1933, Adelson began his business career at age 10 selling newspapers in Boston. After attending Roxbury Memorial High School and the City College of New York, he entered the United States Army. Post-discharge, he experimented with various enterprises, including toiletry sales and a windshield de-icing spray. In 1979, he co-founded the COMDEX trade shows for the computer industry, which became a global standard throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He sold the division to SoftBank Group in 1995 for $862 million, yielding him over $500 million.
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Adelson entered the casino industry in 1988 by purchasing the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for $110 million. He later razed the property to construct The Venetian, a $1.5 billion themed resort that opened in 1999. In 2004, he expanded into Macau, launching the Sands Macao, which recovered its initial $265-million investment within one year. He subsequently developed the Cotai Strip, intending to create a massive resort district. In 2010, he opened the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, which cost approximately S$8 billion and featured extensive luxury retail and convention facilities.
Media and Political Influence
Beyond gaming, Adelson held significant stakes in the media sector, owning the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom, and the weekly publication Makor Rishon. He established the Adelson Foundation in 2007 to support healthcare and Jewish causes. Politically, he became a prominent contributor to the Republican Party, notably serving as a major donor to Donald Trump's 2016 and 2020 campaigns. He was also a long-time supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Fast facts
- Born: 1933, Boston
- Died: 2021, Malibu
- Key Business: Las Vegas Sands
- Education: City College of New York
- Honors: Honorary citizen of Jerusalem (2013)
- Distinction: Distinguished Nevadan (2010)
- Burial: Mount of Olives Jewish Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was the total cost of the Marina Bay Sands?
At its opening in 2010, the total cost was S$8 billion, including land.
Why was the Eurovegas project in Spain cancelled?
The project was cancelled in 2013 due to disagreements regarding gambling taxes and smoking laws.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Las Vegas Sands
- Educated at City College of New York and Roxbury Memorial High School
- Worked as entrepreneur, financier and businessperson
