End Of An Era: Hilton Hotels Leader Barron Hilton Dies At Age 91

It is a sad day not just for the hotel and gambling industry, but for the whole world since we are saying goodbye to Barron Hilton. As a Hilton Hotels leader and philanthropist, he played an influential role in Las Vegas’ gaming history. He helped in bringing “real legitimacy” to the industry on Wall Street.

Sadly, he ed away on Thursday, September 19th, at age 91 of natural causes in his home in Los Angeles. The news on his departure was announced on Friday, by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

“His father started the hotel business, but the gaming part of the company was something that Barron really took ownership of and really felt was his,” said Marc Grossman, a vice president for Hilton Hotels Corp. from 1992 until his retirement in 2007.

Grossman added that “Barron had a real affinity for Nevada” where he spent a lot of his time. By his words, the company’s presence and involvement in Nevada’s gaming scene grew under Barron Hilton’s watch.

Following in His Father’s Footsteps

Hilton was going in the same direction as his father before him. He became chairman, president, and chief executive officer of Hilton Hotels Corp., in 1966. He was the company’s leader for 30 years, until his retirement in 1996. Also, he was an original club owner in the American Football League.

“He was a great and very generous man. I am proud to own his famous hotel,” said David Siegel, owner of the Westgate, former Las Vegas Hilton.

While the chipboard didn’t fall far from the log, Barron lived a much quieter life than his father enjoying activities such as fishing, hunting, and aviation.

Conrad Hilton had a larger-than-life personality and a celebrity status, but it wasn’t his son’s way, according to Grossman.

Entry to the Gaming Industry

Hilton Hotels was the first company listed on The New York Stock Exchange to enter the gaming industry in the United States in 1970. That was achieved with the purchase of the Flamingo Hotel and Las Vegas International, which was later renamed Las Vegas Hilton.

According to Grossman, Barron was given the difficult task of convincing the board of directors to get involved in the gaming business in Las Vegas.

However…

… it seems like it was an excellent call at the time. Not only in the form of the big revenues, but also because it contributed to portraying Nevada as a lucrative business ground.

“The company’s acquisition of the Flamingo Hotel and Las Vegas International was a good signal for Nevada — and especially Las Vegas — that this was a decent place for corporations to invest,” said Michael Green, associate professor of history at UNLV.

Hilton did very well in Las Vegas, profiting largely from its entry into the gaming industry.

At one point, the Flamingo Hotel was one of the most profitable in the Hilton chain.

Barron had a big vision for his Las Vegas branch. He expanded the Las Vegas Hilton and Flamingo Hotel, spearheaded the effort to open a property in Laughlin and bought what became the Reno Hilton.

In the early 1990s, when the hotel business wasn’t doing well, gaming ed for about two-thirds of Hilton’s business.

Along with Harrah’s Entertainment, Hilton Hotels Corp. was purchased by two private equity firms in 2006 and 2007.

Hilton Family Mourns the Loss of a Remarkable Man

“My father was a loving husband to our mother, Marilyn, a wonderful role model to his eight children, a loyal and generous friend, visionary businessman, respected leader and a ionate sportsman. He lived a life of great adventure and exceptional accomplishment,” said Barron’s son and Hilton Foundation board chairman, Steven Hilton.

Barron previously announced he would leave 97% of his wealth to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation…

… which will lead to an increase in the foundation’s endowment from $2.9 billion to $6.3 billion.

Source:

“Hilton Hotels leader Barron Hilton dead at age 91”, Julie Wootton-Greener, reviewjournal.com, September 21, 2019.