Kirk Kerkorian

1917 - 2015

Kirk Kerkorian

1917 - 2015

BORN

1917

DIED

2015

Kirk Kerkorian Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jun. 16, 2015.
LAS VEGAS (AP) — Billionaire Kirk Kerkorian, an eighth-grade dropout who built Las Vegas' biggest hotels, tried to take over Chrysler and bought and sold MGM at a profit three times, has died. He was 98.

He died Monday night in Beverly Hills.

The reserved, unpretentious Kerkorian spent much of his life trying to stay out of the spotlight and rarely gave interviews. He called himself a "small-town boy who got lucky."

He shunned glitzy Hollywood parties and movie premieres in favor of making deals. Rather than arrive at an event by limousine, he often drove himself in a Mercury station wagon.

"He was a very private guy who shunned the limelight, both in a business way and from a charitable standpoint," said Patty Glaser, his attorney of four decades.

After making his first fortune ferrying gamblers to Las Vegas with Trans International Airlines, he built the 30-story, 1,568-room International Hotel, the world's largest hotel when it opened in the late 1960s. He brought Elvis Presley to perform there in 1969 as the rock legend relaunched his live performance career.

Although medium-size by today's Sin City standards, the hotel, now the Westgate Las Vegas, represented a major risk when most properties averaged 250 rooms.

"I had total confidence or I wouldn't have gone into the project," Kerkorian later said. "I've always been bullish on Las Vegas."

When Kerkorian opened the first MGM Grand in Las Vegas in the 1970s, it was again the world's largest hotel, containing more than 2,000 rooms and a 1,200-seat showroom. Years later, he would build another MGM Grand, this one with more than 5,000 rooms — again, the world's largest.

"He built the rooms and attractions to bring an incredibly broad base of affluent people to Las Vegas," Hal Rothman, a history professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, once said.

Elsewhere, Kerkorian bought and sold the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio three times, each time realizing a profit on his investment. He also invested heavily in the auto industry and made unsuccessful attempts to take over Chrysler.

"Regardless of what people think, there was no great master plan," Kerkorian once said. "Every year was a big year for me. First I was simply trying to earn enough to get something to eat, then enough to buy a car."

Sen. Harry Reid said on the Senate floor Tuesday that "when history books are written, they'll say a lot about this good man."

He was born Kerkor Kerkorian in Fresno, California, in 1917, one of four children of a poor Armenian fruit grower.

During his brief boxing career, he became Pacific amateur welterweight champion. But he lacked the size to turn pro, so he went into business. During World War II, he worked for the RAF Air Transport Command in Canada, flying Mosquito bombers on dangerous delivery runs from Canada to Scotland.

After the war, he refurbished a small twin-engine plane and flew passengers between Southern California and the growing desert gambling mecca of Las Vegas. In 1947, Kerkorian bought a tiny charter line and renamed it Trans International Airlines.

Nearly two decades later, he took TIA public and the stock soared. With cash from his stock and shrewd land deals along the Strip, he built the International Hotel. Kerkorian also bought stock in financially ailing MGM.

By 1970, he had working control of the company and began a more than 30-year run of deals involving the historic studio. In 2004, he agreed to sell the studio and its lucrative library of post-1986 films to Sony Corp., Comcast and other investors for about $3 billion.

In 1985, he sold the first MGM Grand to Bally Corp. for $594 million, while retaining rights to the name.

Around that time, he also unloaded the MGM studio to cable TV mogul Ted Turner for a reported $1.5 billion. Turner sold it back just three months later for $300 million amid financial trouble but kept the library of pre-1986 MGM films, including "Gone With the Wind."

Kerkorian later sold the studio for $1.3 billion, then bought it back in 1996 for the same amount.

In Las Vegas, he opened the 5,005-room MGM Grand Hotel and Casino and went on to orchestrate the $6.4 billion merger between MGM Grand and Steve Wynn's Mirage Resorts Inc.

In 2005, the renamed MGM Mirage Inc. completed its $4.8 billion acquisition of Mandalay Resort Group. The combined company's holdings included the Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay Resort, Excalibur and seven nearby hotels.

Kerkorian set his sights on the auto industry in 1995, trying to seize control of Chrysler Corp. in a failed $23 billion hostile bid. It failed, but Kerkorian's Beverly Hills-based Tracinda Corp. became Chrysler's largest shareholder.

Kerkorian made another bid for Chrysler in 2007 when DaimlerChrysler put the struggling division on the market, offering $4.5 billion. But Chrysler sold to private equity firm for $7.4 billion.

He also gave back, forming The Lincy Foundation at UNLV in 1989 to support Armenian causes. After shutting down in 2011, his assets went to The Dream Fund at the University of California, Los Angeles, that supports research and charitable projects.

Kerkorian married three times. He and his second wife had two daughters, Tracy and Linda.

SALLY HO, Associated Press

STEVE ROTHWELL, Associated Press




Copyright © 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Sign Kirk Kerkorian's Guest Book

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July 26, 2016

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July 1, 2015

Dennis Zohrabi posted to the memorial.

July 1, 2015

Artur Z. posted to the memorial.

63 Entries

July 26, 2016

I had the privilege for being one of the original cast members of the MGM Grand in 1993 working at Leonardos restaurant and I also had the privilege of being the requested food server for Kirk and his clients everytime the came in for a dinner/meeting.
I hope that he is R.I.P, he will forever be remembered by me.
Sylvia(Nazig)Kassabian-Leys

Dennis Zohrabi

July 1, 2015

Kirk i never had the honor of meeting you, but your passing has caused me great sadness and pain. You did so much for so many, may you rest in peace. My condolences to the Kerkorian family and friends, your loss is a loss for us all, i will pray for you all, RIP

Artur Z.

July 1, 2015

Kirk you made all Armenians proud, you will live on in our hearts forever. You will never be forgotten. I hope in this lifetime i can accomplish and give back like you did, see you in heaven Kirk

DALE WELLS

June 25, 2015

I can't thank you enough for all those steak dinners you bought me. My deepest sympathy to the Kerkorian family. Dale Wells

Alfred Tahmasian

June 23, 2015

My deepest sympathy to Kerkorian family.Kirk was father of all Armenian.

Adrienne Alexanian

June 23, 2015

You were the greatest gift to Armenia and your people. Your legacy will live on forever,

Mariam Hovhannisyan

June 23, 2015

We had the honor to know Mr. Kirk Kerkorian as an Armenian. I am so sorry for his family for their loss. We lost a wonderful person and a father figure to everyone.

Aram Nersisyan

June 23, 2015

We had the honor to know Mr. Kirk Kerkorian as an Armenian. I am so sorry for his family for their loss. We lost a wonderful person and a father figure to everyone.

Lucy Khachikyan

June 22, 2015

My deepest sympathy to Kerkorian Family...

Shaz (shahzida suleman) Din

June 21, 2015

Heartfelt condolences to Mr K's family. He will be sincerely missed. Thank you so much for being there for us.

Tom Sands

June 21, 2015

Mr Kerkorian has done so much for las vegas that has touch every citizen at all levels of life. Indeed a great man. Thank you

June 19, 2015

God bless our cousin n family from Mike f Missakian from Antioch Californian

June 19, 2015

Rip Mr Kerkorian

Teresa Aldaco

June 19, 2015

R.I.P Mr Kerkorian, Ecc7:4, May all those you have touched, even in a small way, be consoled, may your legacy live on.

Myles Nielson

June 19, 2015

I was held by Kirk as a babe in his arms. My father and him were best friends in Hollywood. I remember watching the Hollywood x-mas parade out his office window as a kid. My mother would often tell me stories about him and my dad running around and painting the town red together. He was a good man, may his journey be great and even greater now.
- Myles Nielson (LaQUINTA, CA)

alicia velgos

June 18, 2015

Many Blessings To Your Family, My Father Loved Working
At Your Hotel, The Desert Inn In Las vegas

Katherine savala

June 18, 2015

God Bless You.

Katherine Savala

June 18, 2015

I had the honor of meeting Mr. K he was indeed a wonderful and caring person. May you Rest In Peace you will never be forgotten. Tracy and Linda I'm very sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to the both of you.

Katie

June 18, 2015

Thank you for making Las Vegas the place it is today. May your legacy continue to flourish. Condolences to your family.

Lilya Hovsepyan

June 18, 2015

Rest in Peace our Armenian hero.

Fredrick Danelian

June 18, 2015

May God Bless your sole and bring quite to mind of your daughters. For the past 35 years I have been inspired and motivated by you. It will be very hard if not impossible tin the future to find another human that will have all your attributes . You have touched life of so many people who new in person and millions of more you did not. It is hard for me to finds words to truly express my feelings. Rest in piece .

Jean Muktarian

June 17, 2015

May you rest in peace & may your family find comfort in knowing how highly the Armenian Community respected you for all that you did for Armenia, Armenian Causes and Fresno.
A true Armenian American rags riches self made man. He did it his way, a proud man, a legend, not to be forgotten!!!

Garbis Yessayan

June 17, 2015

RIP National Hero of Armenia.

Victoria, Tom & Mark Fletcher

June 17, 2015

Kirk Kerkorian
Mom, Tom and I, have lost a very dear friend, it's the end of an era, a great man who moved mountains, changed the landscape and future of Las Vegas, and a true visionary of the future! He helped countless charities with no recognition, humble is an understatement of what this man represented! A true class act thru and thru!
We will miss him dearly, and watch to see his legacy carry on well into the future.
He was a trail real blazer one of a kind, a real man's man. He is now with his brother Nish, and dear sister the Rose! Kirk is probably already haggling with St. Peter on redesigning the pearly gates!
"Sorrow passes once we truly understand, the flower that once was, is held now in the hands of the Lord. (by unknown)
With our deepest condolences and all our love,
The Fletcher family, Vicky, Tom and Mark.

Kirk in his Prime!

Victoria, Tom & Mark Fletcher

June 17, 2015

Kirk Kerkorian
Mom, Tom and I, have lost a very dear friend, it's the end of an era, a great man who moved mountains, changed the landscape and future of Las Vegas, and a true visionary of the future! He helped countless charities with no recognition, humble is an understatement of what this man represented! A true class act thru and thru!
We will miss him dearly, and watch to see his legacy carry on well into the future.
He was a trail real blazer one of a kind, a real man's man. He is now with his brother Nish, and dear sister the Rose! Kirk is probably already haggling with St. Peter on redesigning the pearly gates!
"Sorrow passes once we truly understand, the flower that once was, is held now in the hands of the Lord.
With our deepest condolences and all our love,
The Fletcher family, Vicky, Tom and Mark.

G.R.

June 17, 2015

Sorry for your loss. I hope the Kerkorian family will have comfort & peace from God Almighty.

June 17, 2015

I hope to meet Mr. Kerkorian in Paradise. My condolences to his family and friends.

Anahita

June 17, 2015

May your great life and quite gift of helping be a role model, to all the Armenians, and future generations to come and learn from you, how to be decent,not to show off and never forget your roots and who you are.

Mary Bencomo (Margossian)

June 17, 2015

Your legacy is engraved forever in America. May we learn to dream as you did. RIP

June 17, 2015

A name known to many for his generosity and love for his fellow man. God has a special place for people like this and may he now have a well deserved rest. Charlie and Jan Salbashian and family.

salpie Ajemian

June 17, 2015

May your star shine upon the universe...you were a unique human being and an exemplary father figure. Rest In Peace gentle soul.

Salpe Ajemian

June 17, 2015

You seemed immortal. I admired your humbleness wisdom and selfless generosity. I think God threw away the mold he made for you. May your kind soul be our guide and and your memory ephemeral....A gentleman in every sense of the word. Rest In Peace .

JW

June 17, 2015

Mr. Kerkorian was a great example of planning well, taking the time to "count the cost" before making a decision to engage in a business adventure, and displaying modesty and a giving spirit after he became successful. He is my hero, and I believe his loved ones are just as proud. Be assured that he is very precious in God's eyes. My condolences!

sara bekarian

June 17, 2015

Sad day for Armenians around the world. You will forever be in our hearts. May your soul rest in peace.

June 17, 2015

Tracy, Linda, Family,

Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of your dear loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. May the God who gives peace be with all of you.-RO.15:33

Kimberly Reese

June 17, 2015

A life as it is meant to be lived. RIP and know what an inspiration you are to not just Armenians but to all people.

June 17, 2015

Thank you Mr Kerkorian for everything you did for Las Vegas, for your charity work and for just setting a great example to enjoy life, work hard, give back and let your accomplishments speak for themselves.

June 17, 2015

Sorry we never met. WHAT A LIFE STORY. A Great man to the ARMENIAN PEOPLE.
Howard Kosrofian Wellesley , Ma

Armenian church Surp Karapet

June 17, 2015

Asdvadz hokin lousavore. Our condolences to the family. He is in our hearts for ever.

June 17, 2015

Sorry for your loss, may you find comfort in John 6:40.

hilda mkhlian

June 17, 2015

My condoleances to your family, rest in peace mr kirk krikorian.armenian community lost amazing , brave, great, honorable, men , my deepest sympathie and sorrow .

Asdghig Ajemian

June 17, 2015

A great man. God bless his soul! Proud Armenian as he started from nothing and continued to donate to many charities humbally

Greg Nemet

June 17, 2015

Makes me proud to be Armenian. Genius businessman and philanthropist. Kirkorian was a legend. Rest in power sir!!!!

RIP to a GREAT MAN, MR. KERKORIAN. YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN OUR ARMENIAN NATION WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER AND PRAY FOR YOU. MAY YOU REAST IN PEACE!

VERZHINE DURYAN

June 16, 2015

Diana Avagyan

June 16, 2015

RIP. Thank you.

Anait Keshishyan

June 16, 2015

R.I.P. May God Bless your Soul!!

juliette khachatourian

June 16, 2015

Very sad day for all Armenian around the world and specially our homeland Armenia .a hero for our nation
RIP May God bless his soul

debbi

June 16, 2015

Rest in Peace Sir , To Mr Kerkorian's family & friends, The world has lost a wonderful man . Our family's thought's & prayers are with you all . God Bless you all now & always

Anait Salmanyan

June 16, 2015

Rest in Paradise great man. We love you and will always remember you.

Arpi Yeremian Greco

June 16, 2015

Just like a candle, your light reached so many, far and wide. May you rest in peace Ammo Kirk. You were the champion of your people, a mountain of a man, our Massis.

Anait Salmanyan

June 16, 2015

We lost a great person. Rest in God hands dear Kerkorian.

Arpi Yeremian Greco

June 16, 2015

You were a mountain of a man Ammo Kirk; our Massis. May you rest in peace.
My deepest condolences to his family and friends.
Asdvadz hokeen lousavore.

Emma Pilikyan

June 16, 2015

Rest in Peace, you will be missed!

Henry Wood

June 16, 2015

Just want to say it was such a great feeling when I first met Mr Kerkorian in Las Vegas. R.I.P. My good friend we all will miss you, One thing now to the family my condolences of your loved one, I will pray for each and every night, God Bless you all.

RA Washington DC

June 16, 2015

My condolences on the loss of the financially successful and charitable man, Kirk Kerkorian. May he not soon be forgotten and may the wonderful memories of him remain with you until God's promises at John 6:40 are fulfilled.

Mary Ann Evans

June 16, 2015

To the family of such a great man. May his love of life and his love for you support and strengthen you in this time of sorrow. It is rare to find someone so unassuming in this world. He did great things for many and carved a legacy from grains of sand.

Jessie Nelson

June 16, 2015

Mr. Kerkorian: Thank you so much for all that you did for Las Vegas. You took over where Mr. Hughes left off. Prayers to your Family. You will be missed.

Farrow

June 16, 2015

Ecc. 7 :1 A good name is better than good oil, and the day of death is better than the day of birth.

JW

June 16, 2015

We express our condolences to the Kerkorian family, extended famliy and colleagues. Undoubtedly, Mr Kerkorian in many ways showed his zest for life with perseverance and vigor. Unending life is what would fully satisfy such yearning. May you find comfort in decades of many fond memories together, God's promise to undo all tragedy and the words of the greatest man who ever lived: - "he cried out with a loud voice: Lazarus, come out! 44 The man who had been dead came out with his feet and hands bound with wrappings, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them: Free him and let him go" John 11:43,44

Paul Enos

June 16, 2015

R I P MR Kerkorian You helped Las Vegas so much GOD BLESS YOU

Scott Chamberland

June 16, 2015

Rest in Peace

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July 26, 2016

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July 1, 2015

Dennis Zohrabi posted to the memorial.

July 1, 2015

Artur Z. posted to the memorial.