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Infinity Media
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Miriam Adelson & Family: Biography, Net Worth, Business Achievements, And Legacy
Miriam Adelson is an influential figure known for her significant contributions to the medical field, her philanthropy, and her role in the business empire of her late husband, Sheldon Adelson. With a net worth in the billions, Adelson is one of the wealthiest women in the world, and her family is among the most notable in both business and philanthropy. While much of the Adelson family wealth is derived from the casino empire, Miriam Adelson herself is a respected physician and philanthropist, using her resources to promote medical research, political causes, and Jewish heritage.
Early Life and Education
Miriam Adelson was born on October 10, 1945, in Tel Aviv, Israel, as Miriam Farbstein. She grew up in a Jewish household in the early years of the Israeli state, with her family instilling values of education and community service. Her father, a Polish immigrant, was a prominent member of the Jewish community in Tel Aviv, a background that deeply influenced her lifelong commitment to Jewish causes.
Adelson attended the Hebrew Reali School in Haifa and later pursued a degree in microbiology and genetics at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She then went on to attend Tel Aviv University’s Sackler Faculty of Medicine, where she earned her medical degree. Driven by a passion for helping others, Miriam specialized in internal medicine and later developed a particular interest in addiction treatment.
Medical Career and Contributions to Addiction Research
Miriam Adelson moved to the United States in the 1980s, where she continued her medical career in New York City before eventually relocating to Las Vegas. In the U.S., she began working with patients suffering from substance abuse disorders, focusing on addiction treatment and research. She became a prominent figure in addiction medicine, which was still an emerging field at the time, and her work contributed to a growing understanding of addiction as a medical condition rather than a moral failing.
In Las Vegas, Miriam established the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Treatment and Research, which provides free services to individuals struggling with addiction. The clinic offers innovative treatments and support for recovery, emphasizing a compassionate, science-based approach to treating addiction. Through this clinic and her medical practice, Miriam Adelson has been able to make a lasting impact on the lives of thousands, advocating for effective addiction treatment and breaking the stigma surrounding substance abuse.
Miriam has also used her platform to support research in addiction medicine, funding multiple studies and collaborating with other addiction treatment professionals. Her dedication to this cause has earned her recognition and respect in the medical community, and she remains an active voice in addiction research and advocacy.
Marriage to Sheldon Adelson and Entry into the Business World
In 1991, Miriam met Sheldon Adelson, an American business tycoon and owner of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, a global casino and resort empire. At the time, Sheldon Adelson was already a highly successful businessman known for his ambitious projects in Las Vegas and later in Macau and Singapore. The couple married in 1991, and Miriam became actively involved in both her husband’s business and philanthropic endeavors.
Sheldon Adelson was instrumental in transforming the gaming and entertainment industry, with landmark projects like The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. He had a vision of turning casinos into entertainment complexes that combined gaming with luxury accommodations, dining, shopping, and entertainment. This innovative approach elevated the concept of casino resorts, attracting tourists and high-rollers alike.
Though Miriam continued her work as a physician, she increasingly supported her husband in his business ventures, providing insights and contributing to their philanthropic efforts. Together, they traveled extensively, promoting the growth of Las Vegas Sands’ global footprint, especially in Asia, where they tapped into burgeoning markets in Macau and Singapore. The expansion into Macau, a former Portuguese colony and now a special administrative region of China, was particularly profitable, as it quickly became the world’s largest gambling hub.
Business Achievements and Growth of Las Vegas Sands Corporation
Under Sheldon and Miriam Adelson’s stewardship, Las Vegas Sands Corporation became one of the most successful casino companies globally, amassing billions of dollars in revenue and reshaping the gambling and entertainment industry. Las Vegas Sands has been at the forefront of luxury gaming resorts, and the Adelson vision helped set the trend for integrated resorts that combine hotels, casinos, retail, and convention centers.
Sheldon Adelson’s aggressive expansion into the Asian market, particularly in Macau and Singapore, turned Las Vegas Sands into an international powerhouse. The company’s casino resorts, including The Venetian Macao and Marina Bay Sands, have become iconic landmarks and are among the most profitable casino operations in the world. The Marina Bay Sands, in particular, with its three interconnected towers and rooftop infinity pool, is one of Singapore’s most recognized buildings and a significant contributor to the city’s tourism industry.
After Sheldon’s passing in January 2021, Miriam Adelson took over his role, becoming the majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands. Despite not being directly involved in day-to-day operations, she holds significant influence over the company’s direction. As the matriarch of the Adelson family, Miriam has worked to honor her husband’s legacy while overseeing the continuation of the company’s mission and philanthropic vision.
Net Worth and Financial Standing
Miriam Adelson’s net worth is estimated at around $34 billion, making her one of the richest women globally. Much of this wealth comes from her stake in Las Vegas Sands Corporation, a publicly traded company with assets across the United States and Asia. The value of Las Vegas Sands stock has fluctuated with the global economy and the regulatory environment in its key markets. However, the company's strong revenue-generating capabilities, especially in Macau and Singapore, ensure that the Adelson family's wealth remains substantial.
Beyond her holdings in Las Vegas Sands, Miriam Adelson has diversified investments in various other sectors, although she tends to keep a low profile when it comes to financial matters outside of her public role. Her wealth has enabled her to become a leading philanthropist, with donations to causes ranging from healthcare and addiction research to political advocacy and Jewish cultural initiatives.
Philanthropy and Political Involvement
The Adelson family is known for its philanthropy, much of which is channeled through the Adelson Family Foundation, a charitable organization that supports Jewish causes, medical research, and pro-Israel initiatives. Miriam and Sheldon Adelson have been strong supporters of Israel, donating to numerous organizations that promote Israeli heritage, Jewish education, and community programs.
One of their most prominent philanthropic contributions was to the Birthright Israel program, which offers Jewish youth the opportunity to visit Israel and connect with their cultural heritage. The Adelsons have donated hundreds of millions of dollars to this program, making it possible for countless young Jewish people to experience Israel firsthand.
Miriam Adelson is also known for her support of political causes. She and her late husband were influential donors to conservative political campaigns and causes in the United States, including major donations to the Republican Party. They were vocal supporters of policies that aligned with their business interests and values, including a strong U.S.-Israel alliance.
Family and Personal Life
Miriam Adelson and Sheldon Adelson raised a blended family with two sons from her previous marriage, Adam and Matan, and Sheldon’s children from his previous marriage. The Adelson family has largely maintained a low profile, focusing on their philanthropic work and business legacy. Despite the massive wealth and influence of their parents, the Adelson children have largely kept out of the limelight, avoiding public scrutiny and involvement in high-profile ventures.
Adam and Matan, Miriam’s sons from her first marriage, have played roles in the family’s business and charitable foundations. However, like their mother, they focus primarily on supporting initiatives that align with the family’s values and legacy.
Legacy and Future Outlook
Miriam Adelson’s legacy is multifaceted, encompassing her work in addiction treatment, her stewardship of the Adelson family’s philanthropic vision, and her ongoing role in overseeing Las Vegas Sands Corporation. Her commitment to addiction medicine has had a lasting impact on many, offering hope and healing to countless individuals and families affected by substance abuse. In addition, her influence in the business world, although often behind the scenes, has helped guide Las Vegas Sands as one of the most successful gaming companies in the world.
As one of the wealthiest women globally and a prominent philanthropist, Miriam Adelson’s influence is likely to endure for years to come. Her dedication to medical research, her Jewish heritage, and her philanthropic legacy continue to impact a wide range of communities, both in the U.S. and abroad. The Adelson family’s contributions to healthcare, education, and cultural initiatives are a testament to their commitment to making a positive impact, ensuring that their legacy will resonate for generations.
