“Why do I need succession planning? I’m very alert, I’m very vibrant. I have no intention to retire.“
Full Name : Sheldon Gary Adelson
Political Party : Republican
Born : 4th August , 1933 in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Nationality : American
Father : Arthur Adelson
Mother : Sarah Adelson
Spouse(s) : Sandra Adelson (divorced) and Miriam Ochsorn (m. 1991)
Children : 5
He is known as the Sheldon Gary Adelson. Coming from a humble background, Sheldon has managed to build a business empire that has seen him listed among the richest people in the world today. How did he make it to the top? This article seeks to answer this question and also look at other interesting facts of his successful life. I hope it inspires you to great heights in terms of being courageous and believing in yourself.
1. Education
Most prominent business people have gone through school to a certain level that they feel they are ready to carry out their business plans. Sheldon, on the other hand, was not that lucky. He did not attend any prestigious school or college. He attended the City College of New York where he never graduated. He also went to trade school so as to become a court reporter. Later on, he joined the army.
2. Business Career
He is majorly known for his prowess in casino business but this business magnate started small, and at a very young age of 12. He started his first business on borrowed cash from his uncle. He used the cash to buy a license that would enable him to sell newspapers. At 16 he borrowed some more money from his uncle so he could start a candy vending machine business. After leaving the army Sheldon began a business selling toiletry kits. He eventually became a millionaire despite losing his fortune twice. Some of his major businesses are the Sands Casino in Las Vegas; he later constructed The Venetian, a Venice-themed resort hotel and casino. He also owns casinos in Bethlehem Pennsylvania, Macau China, and The Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.
3. He is a Risk Taker
Throughout his business journey, Sheldon has not shied away from taking risks. He is ones quoted saying that an entrepreneur is born with the risk taker mentality and that no matter how many times he fails he learns from his failures, gets up and tries again. This has been his lifestyle. Before he became a millionaire Sheldon had lost his fortune twice. He did not give up. Now he is among the wealthiest people in the world.
4. Political interests
Sheldon is a big supporter of the Republican Party. This is despite him being brought up as a Democrat. He feels that the Republicans are more concerned with the welfare of the people than Democrats. He has shown his support for the Republicans by giving large donations to the Republican Presidential campaigns and various initiatives that are spearheaded by the Republican Party. Despite some people being against his political affiliations, he feels he has the right to support whomever he wants and is ready to use his wealth to influence elections.
5. Israeli Press
In 2007 He was unsuccessful in purchasing an Israeli newspaper called the Maariv. He decided to publish a newspaper that would compete with the Maariv. The newspaper was called the Israeli Hayom which is distributed free of charge. He later got the rights to purchase the Maariv and later on the conservative paper known as the Makor Rishon. In 2015 he purchased the Las Vegas Review-Journal newspaper.
6. Philanthropist
Like most of the people who have made it in life, Sheldon has not been left behind when it comes to giving back to society. He has contributed millions of dollars to support different courses. Some of the beneficiaries include The Adelson Educational campus to build a high school, The Yad Vashem Holocaust martyr and remembrance authority. The Birthright Israel, which finances trips for Jewish youths to Israel, and the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. Sheldon is identified as one of one of the worlds most generous and influential Jewish Philanthropist.
7. Honors
In 25th March 2008, Sheldon and his wife Miriam were awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars of the Smithsonian Institution. He also got the Chairman’s award by the Nevada Policy Research Institute. In 2008 May, he was appointed to the honorary delegation that accompanied President George W. Bush to Israel. He was named to the CNBC list of 200 people who have transformed business over the last 25 years
According to Sheldon, being an entrepreneur is identifying a path that everyone takes and choosing a different and better way. There you have it. Where you come from does not matter all you need is the will, courage, and faith in yourself. Also no matter how many times you fail don’t give up keep on trying.
