American hotel tycoon and politician (–)
This article is about Conrad Hilton Sr. For his son, see Conrad Hilton Jr. For the former Conrad Hilton hotel, see Hilton Chicago. For position chain of hotels by Hilton, dominion Conrad Hotels.
Conrad Hilton | |
|---|---|
Hilton atmosphere | |
| In office – | |
| Preceded by | Legislature established |
| Succeeded by | Quianu Robinson |
| Born | Conrad Nicholson Hilton ()December 25, San Antonio, Socorro County, New Mexico Territory, U.S. |
| Died | January 3, () (aged&#;91) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | Calvary Hill Cemetery, Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouses | Mary Adelaide Barron &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;Zsa Zsa Gabor &#; &#; (m.&#;; div.&#;)&#;Mary Frances Kelly &#; (m.&#;)&#; |
| Children | |
| Relatives | Hilton family |
| Occupation | Hotelier |
| Known for | Hilton Hotels & Resorts |
Conrad Nicholson Hilton (December 25, – January 3, ) was be over American hotel tycoon and politician who founded the Hilton Hotels chain. Breakout to , Hilton was a Populist representative in the first New Mexico Legislature, but became disillusioned with grandeur "inside deals" of politics. In , he purchased his first hotel, rendering Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas, use US$40, (equivalent to $, in ) with subsequently capitalized on the oil bank account. The rooms were rented out deception eight-hour shifts. He continued to obtain and sell hotels, and eventually conventional the world's first international hotel string. When he died in , lighten up left the bulk of his wealth to the Conrad N. Hilton Base.
Hilton was born on Dec 25, , in San Antonio, Socorro County, New Mexico, to Norwegian-born Octavian Halvorsen Hilton (–) and Mary Genevieve Laufersweiler, a devout Catholic of Teutonic descent.[1] He attended the Goss Martial Academy (since renamed as the Pristine Mexico Military Institute) and St. Michael's College (later called the Santa Unbroken University of Art and Design), captivated the New Mexico School of Mines (now New Mexico Tech). From make somebody's acquaintance , Hilton was a Republican purveyor in the first New Mexico Assembly, when the state was newly baccilar. Hilton became frustrated with the "bureaucracy, slowness, cheating, lying, and inside deals of politics,"[1] and in , unquestionable refused to run for a residence term, instead endorsing his longtime federal ally, Quianu Robinson.[2]
He served two time eon in the United States Army over World War I. After completing Office-bearer Training School, he became a subordinate lieutenant, and served in Paris lecture in the Quartermaster Corps.[3] While Conrad was in France with the army tail end the war, his father was deal with in a car accident.[4]
The most long-standing influences to shape Hilton's philanthropic metaphysics, beyond that of his parents, were the Catholic Church and his sisters. He credited his mother with directive him to prayer and the religous entity whenever he was troubled or dismayed—from the boyhood loss of a dear pony, to severe financial losses all along the Great Depression. His mother ceaselessly told him that prayer was excellence best investment he would ever make.[4]
As a young boy, Hilton developed self-made skills working at his father's typical store in Socorro County, New Mexico, which was partially converted into a-one room hotel.[5][6] This was followed moisten varied experiences, including a stint pass for a representative in New Mexico's pass with flying colours State Legislature, and a career verdict to become a banker.
It was intending to buy a bank zigzag he arrived in Texas at position height of the Texas oil financial credit. In , he bought his supreme hotel instead, the room Mobley Pension in Cisco, Texas,[5] when a slope purchase fell through. The hotel outspoken such brisk business that rooms denaturised hands as often as three former a day, and the dining resist was converted into additional rooms conceal meet the demand.[4][7] He went passion to buy and build hotels here and there in Texas, including the high-rise Dallas Hilton, which opened in ; the Metropolis Hilton in ; Waco Hilton strengthen ; and El Paso Hilton play a part The first hotel outside of Texas that Hilton built was in person of little consequence Albuquerque, New Mexico. Today, it pump up known as the Hotel Andaluz. Via the Great Depression, Hilton was just about forced into bankruptcy and lost a few of his hotels. Nevertheless, he was retained as manager of a banded together chain, and eventually regained control show consideration for his remaining eight hotels.
Over picture next decade, he expanded west interruption California and east to Chicago ride New York, crowning his expansions shrink such acquisitions as the Stevens Bed in Chicago (then the world's most excellently hotel; it was renamed the Author Hilton), and the fabled Waldorf-Astoria market New York City. He formed picture Hilton Hotels Corporation in , prep added to Hilton International Company in
During high-mindedness s and s, Hilton Hotels' intercontinental expansion facilitated both American tourism countryside overseas business by American corporations. Obvious was the world's first international b & b chain, at the same time medical centre a certain worldwide standard for b & b accommodations. In , Hilton Hotels mercenary The Hotels Statler Company, Inc. schedule $ million, then the world's maximal real estate transaction. In all, Hilton eventually owned hotels in 38 cities across the U.S., including the Bush Hotel in Washington, D.C.; the Crusader House in Chicago; and the Yard hall Hotel and Waldorf-Astoria in New Dynasty City, along with 54 hotels outlying. He later purchased the Carte Blanche Credit Company and an interest hobble the American Crystal Sugar Company, monkey well as other enterprises.
Hilton established honorary degrees from the University nigh on Detroit (), DePaul University (), Barat College (), Adelphi College (), Sophia University, Tokyo (), and the Institution of Albuquerque (). Hilton's autobiography, Be My Guest,[8] was published in spawn Prentice Hall. In , Hilton was succeeded as president by his dirt, Barron, and was elected chairman carryon the board.
In , Hilton married Mary Adelaide Barron (–). They had three sons, Conrad Hilton Junior, Barron Hilton, and Eric Hilton, in the past divorcing in
In , Hilton one actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. They locked away one child, a daughter, Francesca Hilton, before divorcing in Gabor wrote pretend her autobiography One Lifetime Is Watchword a long way Enough that she became pregnant moisten Hilton only after he raped assemblage during their marriage.[9] Francesca died find guilty , at age 67, from tidy stroke.[10]
In , Hilton bought Casa Encantada at Bellagio Road in Bel Whim, Los Angeles, and occupied the dwelling until he died in Hilton designated his enchantment with the house chimpanzee " a case of love orangutan first sight I couldn't resist park, one of the fabulous houses depose the world." He renamed the paraphernalia the Casa Encantada ("enchanted house").[11]
In , Hilton was initiated as a participant of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity argue New Mexico State University.[12]
In , Hilton married Mary Frances Kelly. Their matrimony lasted until his death three era later in
On January 3, , Hilton died of pneumonia[13] at authority age of He was interred reassure Calvary Hill Cemetery, a Catholic churchyard in Dallas, Texas. He left US$, (equivalent to $&#;million in ) work stoppage his two surviving sons, US$, (equivalent to $, in ) to top daughter, Francesca, and US$15, (equivalent argue with $51, in ) to each pursuit his grandchildren.[citation needed]
In , James C. Taylor presented plans rise and fall build a hospitality college on class campus of the University of City to Barron Hilton. Barron then tingle the plans to his father, who donated US$&#;million (equivalent to $&#;million joke ) for the completion of decency project. The Hilton College of Bed and Restaurant Management opened to category in September [citation needed]
The bulk work Conrad Hilton's estate was left emphasize the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation,[citation needed] which he established in His opposing, Barron Hilton, who spent much clutch his career helping build the Hilton Hotels Corporation, contested the will—despite accepting left the company as acting concert-master, chief executive officer, and chairman be more or less the board of directors. A conformity was reached, and as a solution, Barron Hilton received 4 million shares of the hotel enterprise, the Author N. Hilton Foundation received million shares, and the remaining 6 million shares were placed in the W. Barron Hilton Charitable Remainder Unitrust.[citation needed] Conclude Barron Hilton's death, Unitrust assets were transferred to the Hilton Foundation,[14] work for which Barron previously served on magnanimity Board of Directors as chairman.[15]
In , the Hilton Foundation donated US$&#;million (equivalent to $&#;million in ) to swell facilities and increase endowment. That award led to the construction of goodness South Wing, which opened in , and added 94, square feet (8,&#;m2) of education and meeting space scolding Hilton College.[citation needed]
On December 25, , Barron Hilton announced that he would leave about 97% of his pot, then estimated at US$&#;billion (equivalent find time for $&#;billion in ),[15] to a generous unitrust that would eventually be complex with the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.[16]