Barron Hilton Wiki, Bio, Net worth, Height, Career & More (2023)
Barron Hilton was an accomplished American businessman and socialite. Barron, the son of Conrad Hilton, the renowned founder of Hilton Hotels, made significant contributions to the family empire during the 1950s. Under his leadership, the company reached remarkable milestones. Join us as we explore various aspects of Barron Hilton's life, including his impressive net worth, biography, age, successful career, family ties, and relationships.
Biography
Hilton, born in Dallas, Texas, to Mary Adelaide and Conrad Nicholson Hilton (founder of Hilton Hotels), had three siblings. He served in WWII as a photographer in the Navy. Fascinated by aviation from a young age, he learned to fly at 17.
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After the war, he attended USC Aeronautical School, earning his twin-engine rating at 19. His father was of Norwegian and German descent from New Mexico, while his mother was from Kentucky.
Net worth
Barron Hilton achieved remarkable success in the hospitality industry, which significantly contributed to his considerable net worth. Recent estimates place Barron Hilton's net worth at approximately $4.5 billion. Through his entrepreneurial ventures and wise investments, Barron Hilton played a pivotal role in accumulating his wealth.
Early Career
Barron Hilton developed business skills in various ventures before joining the hotel industry. He co-founded MacDonald Oil, founded Air Finance Corp, and acquired the distributorship of Vita-Pakt Citrus Products.
In 1954, he became vice president of Hilton Hotels, overseeing franchise operations and creating the Carte Blanche credit card. In 1959, he named his AFL team the Chargers and later moved them to San Diego. He played a key role in building a new stadium, leading to the expansion of the San Diego Padres. Hilton served as AFL president, helped merge AFL with NFL, and later became the CEO of Hilton Hotels.
Hilton Hotels
Barron Hilton showed business acumen by expanding Hilton Hotels into Las Vegas in 1970, acquiring the International and Flamingo from Kirk Kerkorian. He introduced innovations like video cameras in casinos. Hilton successfully promoted Las Vegas as the "Entertainment Capital of the World", featuring headliners like Elvis Presley and Liberace.
The expansion into Nevada boosted the company's net income. He later sold a 50% interest in six major hotels to Prudential Insurance, demonstrating the value of the company's real estate. Hilton continued to grow the domestic hotel chain through franchising and acquisitions. In 2007, The Blackstone Group purchased Hilton Hotels Corporation, now known as Hilton, Inc.
Aviation Career
Hilton, born during Lindbergh's transatlantic flight, developed a passion for aviation. He learned to fly at 17, obtaining multiple ratings. He maintained a diverse aircraft fleet at his Flying M Ranch until retiring from flying in 2012. Hilton backed balloon flights around the world, inspiring successful attempts.
He hosted the Barron Hilton Cup glider competition from 1980 to 2009, attracting notable pilots. Fossett, a friend, tragically disappeared in 2007. Hilton was honored by the Smithsonian and inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame. His lifelong support of aviation earned him the FAI Gold Air Medal. He was hailed as the "patron saint of sport aviation".
Personal Life
In 1947, Barron Hilton married Marilyn June Hawley. They had eight children, including William Barron Hilton Jr. and Ronald Jeffrey Hilton. He had 15 grandchildren, including Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton Rothschild, and four great-grandchildren.
Hilton's primary residence was the Jay Paley House in Holmby Hills, and he had a suite in New York's Waldorf and a 475,000-acre ranch called Flying M stretching across Nevada & California. He died of natural causes at his Los Angeles home on September 19, 2019.
FAQs
Q. How did Barron Hilton make his fortune?
A. Barron Hilton made his fortune through his successful career in the hospitality industry. He played a pivotal role in expanding the Hilton Hotels Corporation and leveraged his business acumen to make astute investments, contributing to his substantial net worth.
Q. How many children did Barron Hilton have?
A. Barron Hilton had eight children.
Q. What is Barron Hilton's estimated net worth?
A. Barron Hilton's estimated net worth is approximately $4.5 billion. His entrepreneurial achievements and strategic investments contributed to his substantial wealth.
Q. When did Barron Hilton died?
A. Barron Hilton died of natural causes at his Los Angeles home on September 19, 2019 at the age of 91.
Q. Was Barron Hilton related to Paris and Nicky Hilton?
A. Yes, Barron Hilton was the grandfather of Paris and Nicky Hilton.
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