Sheldon Adelson, one of the world’s richest people and renowned for his philanthropy for Jewish and pro-Israel causes and for has died at 87.
Adelson’s most famous contribution to Israel and Jewish continuity was his sponsorship of the successful Birthright-Taglit initiative. He has donated $127 million to the program according to IRS filings.
He was one of the biggest political donors in American politics. He was the largest donor to Trump’s 2016 presidential bid, chipping in $25 million, and was the nation’s largest political donor in the 2012 election, at nearly $93 million.
Among his contribution to right-wing causes was his backing of the Israel Hayom, a free daily newspaper seen as supportive of Benjamin Netanyahu which reshaped the landscape of Israeli media.
He is survived by his wife, Miriam Adelson, a doctor who emigrated from Israel, who was instrumental in allocating his funds for causes related to Israel, medical research and help for drug addiction programs.
Adelson and Miriam had two children together. He also adopted his first wife’s three children, one of whom predeceased him.
