History of Sheldon Adelson in Timeline
Sheldon Adelson was a prominent American businessman, investor, and philanthropist. He held the positions of founder, chairman, and CEO of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, a major player in the casino industry owning properties like Marina Bay Sands and The Venetian Las Vegas. Notably, he also had significant influence in media, owning publications such as Israel Hayom, Makor Rishon, and the Las Vegas Review-Journal. His diverse portfolio reflects his impact across business, media, and philanthropy.
August 4, 1933: Sheldon Adelson Born
Sheldon Gary Adelson was born on August 4, 1933.
1945: Birth of Miriam Farbstein
Miriam Farbstein was born in Mandatory Palestine in 1945 to Polish parents who had fled before the Holocaust.
1948: Candy Vending Machine Business
At the age of 15 in 1948, Sheldon Adelson started a candy vending machine business with a $10,000 loan from his uncle.
1979: COMDEX Trade Shows Launched
Sheldon Adelson and his partners launched the COMDEX trade shows for the computer industry in 1979.
1988: Divorce from Sandra Adelson
In 1988, Sheldon Adelson and his wife, Sandra, divorced. They had lived in Massachusetts with Sandra's three children, whom Sheldon had adopted.
1988: Purchase of Sands Hotel and Casino
Sheldon Adelson acquired the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas for $110 million in 1988.
1991: Idea for a Mega-Resort
During a honeymoon trip to Venice in 1991, Sheldon Adelson conceived the idea for a mega-resort hotel.
1991: Marriage to Miriam Farbstein
Sheldon Adelson married Miriam Farbstein in 1991.
1993: Miriam Adelson Founds Substance Abuse Center
In 1993, Miriam Adelson founded a substance abuse center and research clinic in Tel Aviv.
1995: Sale of Interface Group Show Division
In 1995, Sheldon Adelson and his partners sold the Interface Group Show Division, including COMDEX, to SoftBank for $862 million. Adelson's share exceeded $500 million.
May 3, 1999: The Venetian Opens
The Venetian, a Venice-themed resort and casino, opened on May 3, 1999, after Sheldon Adelson invested $1.5 billion in its construction.
2000: Opening of Adelson Research Clinic
In 2000, Sheldon and Miriam Adelson opened the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Research Clinic in Las Vegas.
2001: Adelson diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy
In 2001, Sheldon Adelson was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy, a condition that affected his ability to stand and walk.
May 2004: Sands Macao Opens
Sands Macao, China's first Las Vegas-style casino, opened in May 2004.
December 2004: Las Vegas Sands Goes Public
Las Vegas Sands went public in December 2004, significantly increasing Sheldon Adelson's wealth.
2005: Adelsons Contribute to Bush's Inauguration
In 2005, Sheldon and Miriam Adelson donated to President George W. Bush's second inauguration.
May 2006: Casino License Awarded in Singapore
Las Vegas Sands was granted a license to build a casino resort in Marina Bay, Singapore, in May 2006.
2006: Pennsylvania Slots License Awarded
In 2006, Adelson's company was awarded one of five slots licenses by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, allowing them to build a stand-alone casino.
2006: Donation to Yad Vashem
In 2006, Sheldon Adelson donated $25 million to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority.
2006: Co-founds Israeli Newspaper
Sheldon Adelson co-founded an Israeli newspaper in 2006, which he later left.
July 30, 2007: Israel Hayom's First Edition
The first edition of Israel Hayom, a free daily newspaper founded by Sheldon Adelson, was published on July 30, 2007.
August 2007: Venetian Macao Opens
The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel opened in August 2007, with plans for a "Cotai Strip" development announced.
2007: Start of Donations to Birthright Israel
Starting in 2007, the Adelson Family Foundation began contributing significantly to Birthright Israel, a program that funds trips to Israel for Jewish youth.
2007: Adelson ranked third-richest person in the US
In 2007, Forbes estimated Sheldon Adelson's wealth at $26.5 billion, ranking him as the third-richest person in the United States.
2007: Adelson Foundation Established
Sheldon Adelson founded the Adelson Foundation in 2007, a private charity focused on healthcare, Israel, and the Jewish people.
March 25, 2008: Adelsons Receive Woodrow Wilson Award
On March 25, 2008, Sheldon and Miriam Adelson were awarded the Woodrow Wilson Award for Corporate Citizenship by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.
May 2008: Adelsons Join Bush Delegation to Israel
In May 2008, Sheldon and Miriam Adelson were part of the honorary delegation accompanying President George W. Bush to Jerusalem for the 60th anniversary of the State of Israel.
June 2008: Lawsuit by Richard Suen
In June 2008, a profile in The New Yorker detailed several controversies involving Sheldon Adelson, including a lawsuit filed by Hong Kong businessman Richard Suen, who claimed Adelson had not honored an agreement regarding profits from the Macau casino venture.
November 2008: Las Vegas Sands Corp. faces potential bankruptcy
In November 2008, Las Vegas Sands Corp. announced the possibility of defaulting on its outstanding bonds, raising concerns about potential bankruptcy.
2008: Adelson's wealth estimated at $26 billion
In 2008, Forbes estimated Sheldon Adelson's wealth at $26 billion.
2008: Libel Lawsuit against Daily Mail
In 2008, Sheldon Adelson successfully sued the London Daily Mail for libel after it accused him of unethical business practices and buying political favors. He was awarded approximately £4 million, which he donated to the Royal Marsden Hospital.
2008: Adelson Funds Freedom's Watch
In 2008, Sheldon Adelson was the primary financial backer of Freedom's Watch, a political group formed to counter the influence of liberal organizations. He reportedly provided almost all of the $30 million the group spent during the 2008 elections.
2008: Adelson's Involvement in Blocking the Lantos Resolution
In 2008, during the Richard Suen trial, testimony revealed Sheldon Adelson's communication with then-House Majority Leader Tom DeLay about a resolution opposing the Chinese bid for the 2008 Olympics. Following a call between Adelson and DeLay, the resolution failed to pass, although Adelson claimed this was due to legislative pressures, not DeLay's intervention.
May 22, 2009: Bethlehem Casino Opens
A casino resort developed by Sheldon Adelson and his company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, opened on May 22, 2009.
2009: Adelson's net worth declines significantly
In 2009, Sheldon Adelson's net worth dropped from approximately $30 billion to $2 billion, a 93% decrease, due to the economic downturn and its impact on Las Vegas Sands Corp. Despite this, Adelson maintained a positive outlook, emphasizing his entrepreneurial spirit.
July 2010: Israel Hayom Readership Grows
A survey in July 2010 showed the growing readership of Israel Hayom.
November 2010: Overturning of Initial Suen Judgment
In November 2010, the Nevada Supreme Court overturned a $43.8 million judgment awarded to Richard Suen against Sheldon Adelson and sent the case back to a lower court.
2010: Reflections on the Great Recession
During the Great Recession in 2010, Sheldon Adelson expressed doubts about having started the Bethlehem casino project given the economic climate.
2010: Start of Major Donations to the Republican Party
From 2010 onward, Sheldon Adelson and his wife began donating heavily to Republican campaigns and super PACs.
2010: Adelson Donates to Gingrich's PAC
In 2010, Sheldon Adelson donated $1 million to American Solutions for Winning the Future, a political action committee supporting Newt Gingrich.
2010: Marina Bay Sands Opens
The Marina Bay Sands casino in Singapore opened in 2010.
2010: Marina Bay Sands - Most Expensive Building
Upon its opening in 2010, the Marina Bay Sands complex was the world's most expensive building.
July 2011: Israel Hayom Becomes Leading Daily
A July 2011 survey indicated that Israel Hayom had become the most widely read weekday newspaper in Israel.
December 2011: Adelson Supports Gingrich and Comments on Palestinians
In December 2011, Sheldon Adelson defended Newt Gingrich's controversial statements about Palestinians. Adelson supported Gingrich's presidential bid.
2011: Adelson's wealth recovers, ranked 16th richest
By 2011, Sheldon Adelson's net worth recovered significantly, reaching $23.3 billion, placing him as the 16th-richest person in the world according to Forbes.
2011: Controversy over Israeli Channel 10 Coverage
In 2011, Sheldon Adelson was involved in a controversy surrounding Israeli Channel 10's reporting, which led to resignations at the channel and a ruling by the Israeli Second Authority for Television and Radio.
January 7, 2012: Adelson's Large Donation to Pro-Gingrich Super PAC
On January 7, 2012, Sheldon Adelson donated $5 million to Winning Our Future, a super PAC supporting Newt Gingrich's presidential campaign. This funding fueled a significant advertising push in South Carolina, including a film critical of Mitt Romney. Adelson's wife later added another $5 million to the PAC.
February 2012: Adelson Defends Political Spending
In February 2012, Sheldon Adelson defended his substantial political contributions, arguing that he was simply doing what others like George Soros had been doing for years. He asserted his right to participate in the political process and stated his pride in his actions.
June 2012: Donation to Restore Our Future and Romney Fundraiser
In June 2012, Sheldon Adelson donated $10 million to Restore Our Future, a pro-Romney PAC. In July 2012, he attended a Romney fundraiser in Jerusalem along with other prominent contributors. By July 2012, Adelson had reportedly donated over $30 million to Republicans for the 2012 election cycle.
August 2012: DCCC withdraws blog posts about Adelson
In August 2012, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) retracted two blog posts and issued an apology after being threatened with a libel suit by Sheldon Adelson. The posts alleged that Adelson had donated "Chinese prostitution money" to Republicans.
2012: Adelson Spends Heavily on 2012 Republican Primaries
During the 2012 Republican primaries, Sheldon Adelson initially supported Newt Gingrich before switching to Mitt Romney. He spent a total of $92 million backing unsuccessful candidates in the 2012 presidential election cycle.
February 2013: Acknowledgement of Potential Legal Violations
In February 2013, Las Vegas Sands admitted in a regulatory filing that it had probably violated federal law against bribing foreign officials, related to the development of Adelson's Macau casino.
September 2013: Adelson loses libel suit against NJDC
In September 2013, a federal judge dismissed Adelson's libel suit against the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC), which had claimed Adelson "personally approved" of prostitution at his Macau resorts. The judge ordered Adelson to pay the NJDC's legal fees.
October 22, 2013: Adelson's Comments on Iran's Nuclear Program
On October 22, 2013, at Yeshiva University, Sheldon Adelson suggested that the U.S. should detonate a nuclear bomb in an unpopulated area and threaten to attack Tehran to deter Iran's nuclear weapons program. His spokesman later clarified that these remarks were hyperbole.
2013: Adelson tops Forbes' "Biggest Winner" List
In 2013, Sheldon Adelson was ranked highly on Forbes' "Biggest Winner" list, having added an estimated $15 billion to his net worth due to the success of his casinos in Macau and Singapore. His overall net worth was estimated at $37.2 billion by Forbes.
2013: Second Suen Trial and Verdict
In 2013, a retrial of the Suen case resulted in a $70 million verdict against Adelson, plus $31.6 million in interest. Adelson appealed the decision. He also faced another trial involving claims from three alleged "middlemen" seeking $450 million.
March 2014: Meetings with Potential 2016 Presidential Candidates
In March 2014, Sheldon Adelson held individual meetings with potential Republican presidential candidates including Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Scott Walker, and John Kasich during the Republican Jewish Coalition's spring meeting in Las Vegas.
March 31, 2014: Purchase of Maariv and Makor Rishon
Sheldon Adelson acquired the Israeli newspapers Maariv and Makor Rishon on March 31, 2014.
December 2014: Adelson's net worth estimated at $30.4 billion
As of December 2014, Forbes estimated Sheldon Adelson's net worth to be $30.4 billion.
2014: Donation to Friends of the Israel Defense Forces and The Adelson Educational Campus
In 2014, Sheldon Adelson donated $5 million to the Friends of the Israel Defense Forces. He also gave over $25 million to The Adelson Educational Campus in Las Vegas for the construction of a high school.
2014: Adelson Recognized as Transformative Business Figure
In 2014, Sheldon Adelson was included in CNBC's list of 200 individuals who have significantly transformed the business world over the preceding 25 years.
2014: Donations Against Marijuana Legalization Initiatives
In 2014, Sheldon Adelson donated $2.5 million to the Drug Free Florida Committee to oppose the legalization of medical cannabis in Florida. He later contributed an additional $1.5 million to the same campaign, believing cannabis to be a gateway drug.
December 2015: Sheldon Adelson Purchases the Las Vegas Review-Journal
In December 2015, Sheldon Adelson bought the Las Vegas Review-Journal through a company called News + Media Capital Group LLC. Initially, his involvement was kept secret, but reporters later revealed that the $140 million purchase was orchestrated by his son-in-law. The high price led to speculation that the purchase was motivated by Adelson's business or political goals.
December 2015: Meetings with 2016 Presidential Candidates
In December 2015, during a Republican debate at The Venetian Las Vegas, Adelson held private meetings with several candidates, including Donald Trump. This process of vying for Adelson's financial support was dubbed "The Adelson Primary".
2015: Settlement with SEC
In 2015, Sands paid a $9 million settlement to the SEC regarding alleged violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, without admitting wrongdoing.
2015: Adelson Opposes Online Gambling
In 2015, Sheldon Adelson actively opposed online gambling, despite its growing acceptance. He supported the Restore America's Wire Act, which sought to restrict online gambling, generating mixed reactions within the Republican Party.
January 2016: Las Vegas Review-Journal Implements and Withdraws Editorial Principles
In January 2016, after Sheldon Adelson's purchase of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, editorial principles were established to ensure the newspaper's independence. However, these principles were soon withdrawn by the new publisher, Craig Moon, who also began to control stories related to Adelson's interests.
May 13, 2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump
On May 13, 2016, Sheldon Adelson formally endorsed Donald Trump for president, pledging up to $100 million to support his campaign. Adelson emphasized the value of CEO experience in a president.
May 2016: Endorsement of Donald Trump
In May 2016, Sheldon Adelson officially endorsed Donald Trump's presidential bid, citing the importance of a candidate's CEO experience.
September 23, 2016: Donation to Trump Campaign and Republican Electoral Campaign
On September 23, 2016, Sheldon Adelson announced a $25 million donation to Trump's presidential campaign and a $65 million donation to the Republican electoral campaign, making him the largest donor to both in the 2016 election cycle. He also donated $5 million to Trump's inaugural celebrations.
October 2016: Donations Against Marijuana Legalization Initiatives
In October 2016, Sheldon Adelson donated $1 million to oppose the Massachusetts Legalization, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Initiative. He also contributed $1.5 million against the 2016 Florida medical marijuana legalization initiative.
2016: Denial of Israel Hayom Ownership
In 2016, Sheldon Adelson's lawyer claimed Adelson did not own Israel Hayom, attributing ownership to a relative.
2016: Major Donor to Donald Trump's Campaign
Sheldon Adelson was the largest donor to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign.
2016: Russian Interference in the 2016 United States Elections
In 2016, Russian interference in the United States elections was under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller.
2016: Las Vegas Review-Journal Endorses Trump
In 2016, the Las Vegas Review-Journal, owned by Sheldon Adelson, became the first major newspaper to endorse Donald Trump for president.
January 2, 2017: Adelson's jet sets record for longest flight from Ben Gurion Airport
On January 2, 2017, Sheldon Adelson's Airbus A340-500 private jet set a record for the longest flight ever to depart from Ben Gurion International Airport, flying nonstop to Honolulu, Hawaii, via the Arctic Ocean.
November 2017: Adelson Advocates for IAC as Political Lobbying Group
At the November 2017 Israeli-American Council (IAC) conference, Sheldon Adelson advocated for the organization to focus on political lobbying related to Israel. He proposed positions contrary to AIPAC's, leading to criticism that he was using the IAC to promote his own right-wing views.
2018: Donations to the Republican Party
During the 2018 United States elections, Sheldon Adelson donated approximately $113 million to the Republican Party through various conservative political action committees.
2018: Establishment of Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust
The Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust was set up in 2018 to assist aides of President Trump who were under investigation by special counsel Robert Mueller related to Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.
January 31, 2019: Contribution to Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust
On January 31, 2019, it was reported that Sheldon and Miriam Adelson had contributed $500,000 to the Patriot Legal Expense Fund Trust, established in 2018 to aid President Trump's aides under investigation by Robert Mueller. This was the largest contribution to the Trust to that point.
February 28, 2019: Adelson undergoes treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
On February 28, 2019, Las Vegas Sands announced that Sheldon Adelson was undergoing treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The announcement followed a claim by a Sands attorney that Adelson was too unwell to attend a deposition in a court case.
2019: Sale of Bethlehem Casino
Las Vegas Sands Corp. sold the Bethlehem casino to Wind Creek Hospitality for $1.3 billion in 2019.
October 2020: Further Donations to Pro-Trump and Republican Super-PACs
In the latter half of October 2020, Sheldon and Miriam Adelson donated an additional $35 million to three super-PACs supporting the Republican Party and Trump's re-election effort, including Preserve America and the Senate Leadership Fund.
October 15, 2020: Donation to Trump PAC
On October 15, 2020, Sheldon Adelson donated $75 million to a Trump PAC to support his re-election campaign.
2020: End of Major Donations Period
By 2020, Sheldon Adelson and his wife had donated over $500 million to Republican party campaigns and super PACs between 2010 and 2020.
2020: Adelson's Net Worth
In 2020, Forbes estimated Sheldon Adelson's net worth at US$29.8 billion.
2020: Donations to Trump's 2020 Campaign and Defense Fund
In 2020, Sheldon Adelson provided significant donations to Donald Trump's re-election campaign and his legal defense fund.
January 11, 2021: Sheldon Adelson Dies
Sheldon Gary Adelson passed away on January 11, 2021.
January 14, 2021: Adelson's body arrives in Israel
On January 14, 2021, Sheldon Adelson's body arrived in Israel. His coffin, draped with U.S. and Israeli flags, was displayed at Ben Gurion Airport, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu paid his respects.
2022: Las Vegas Sands Corporation Sells Properties
In 2022, the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, founded by Sheldon Adelson, sold The Venetian Las Vegas and the Sands Expo and Convention Center.