Who Is Miriam Adelson? | Las Vegas Advisor

Now that Miriam Adelson is in the news for her investment in the Dallas Mavericks and apparently positioning for casinos in Texas, I wonder if you can tell us something about her. Who is she? Where does she come from? What is she a doctor of? How did she wind up with Sheldon Adelson?

Yes, Dr. Miriam Adelson is making some waves these days, after buying a majority stake in the Dallas Maverick's professional basketball team from billionaire businessman Mark Cuban for a reported $2.6 billion, plus a 100-acre site near the old Texas Stadium in a separate transaction. It's the first time we know of that she's made business moves of this magnitude and there are a lot of ins and outs to the deal, not to mention the long close relationship between the Adelsons, from when Sheldon was alive, and Mark Cuban. But that's a QoD for another day.

As for Miriam herself, she now controls the Adelson fortune, estimated this year by Forbes at $35 billion, which makes her the richest Israeli, fifth-richest woman in the world, and 44th richest person in the world.

She's 78 years old, having been born in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1945, three years prior to Israeli independence. She grew up in the port of Haifa, the northernmost major city in the country, and served her mandatory military term for the IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces, in 1963-1964, working as a medical research officer with sex workers with addictions. That made a major impression on her, which has continued to show up in her life ever since.

She received a bachelor's degree in microbiology from Hebrew University in Jerusalem, then went on to earn her MD at Tel Aviv University. She worked as an internist in the emergency room at a Tel Aviv hospital, married a fellow physician, and had two daughters.

After divorcing her first husband, she traveled to the U.S. in 1986 at age 41 on a fellowship to study heroin addiction and treatment in New York. A couple of years later, she was set up on what's been reported as a blind date with Sheldon Adelson, 12 years her senior at age 53, who was also recently divorced from his first wife and was in the process, after selling his stake in Comdex, an early computer exposition, for $800 million and buying the Sands Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas. Adelson and Miriam married in 1991 in Jerusalem.

At least according to legend, on their honeymoon in Venice, Miriam had a brainstorm: Raze the Sands and build a megaresort with a Venice theme, complete with replicas of the city's most famous features, such as the Piazza San Marco and St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile bell tower, and even the canals. The Venetian opened in 1999.

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Comments

Anthony Curtis Dec-22-2023

Reset

We've removed some posts that were unnecessarily inflammatory. We've also removed a previous concluding sentence that stimulated the comments and which we've subsequently rethought. Kitchen Sink, anyone? Carry on.

O2bnVegas Dec-22-2023

Wow

My first thought was of admiration for the accomplishments of this woman.

Candy

Trainwreck Dec-22-2023

Wikipedia

Surprised anyone would ask this question in the first place give that there is an extensive Wikipedia page on her.

JerryD Dec-22-2023

Interesting lady

However, I can't help but have some negative feelings for someone who had the idea to raze the Sands. I loved that place, but it was a remnant of a more laid-back era and admittedly past its prime. Still, I'd much rather hang out at the Sands than the Venetian.

jay Dec-22-2023

Fond memory of the Sands

I have fond memories of the Sands, but I am sure if the place was still standing it would be as much of a grind joint as any of the others on the strip. The one thing you need to appreciate about Vegas is their ability to raze the old and reinvent themselves. Having stayed at the Venetian countless times I am not sure you could find a better "base" room anywhere in town, and you can't complain about its positioning on the strip. None of the strip casinos have any personality. Couple of old-time dealers at the NYNY with a story or two to tell but with high table minimums, 6/5 blackjack an auto shufflers, I can find better company for less. If your looking for that old character charm I would suggest you check out the Gold Coast or the Elderodo.

Hoppy Dec-22-2023

Sheldon and the Raiders

Was it Miriam's husband who tried to bring the Raiders to town?

Kenneth Mytinger Dec-22-2023

Re: RESET

Keep up the good work, Anthony and Deke.  There are countless other websites where anyone can rant about whatever they'd like to (including your own, i.e. "Kitchen Sink" on the forums).

It's unfortunate that so many seem to think that their opinion/comment will be oh, so clever or important, that everyone will bow down with praise.

Again, plenty of other sites.  Let's stick to the subject and keep our opinions out of it.

Thanks again guys.

Vegas Fan Dec-22-2023

Kenneth m

Is right. I didn't know there was a part of lva that's uncensored.

sunny78 Dec-22-2023

thank you

Thanks Anthony for removing the more than likely one of his countless political bs rants. Rarely do I post mostly enjoy reading but when types like kevin lewis especially goes on his rants on everything political it ruins the enjoyment for all of us. He has gotten out of hand for years as I see it and I know many others feel the same and hope you seriously consider removing his political uncalled for garbage rants on your platform. His foul mouth is also uncalled for on what is otherwise a sane experience here. Thank you again.

Kevin Lewis Dec-22-2023

Blasphemy

The only thing "wrong" with my earlier post is that I attacked a certain orange god. That set off rants by some who worship that god.

Religion often foments fanaticism.

David Miller Dec-22-2023

For Over 7+ Years

   For over 7+ years Lewis has run roughshod over any and everyone who has not agreed to his lies and filth he has spewed. Most of the long term Sink posters who used to post here no longer post to the Sink because he has run them off. Lewis should have been permanently banned from the Advisor Forums years ago.

Tabbycat Dec-22-2023

Reset?

@Anyhony Now you’ve got me up all night wondering about that deleted sentence that was so inflammatory.  Will it be on the director’s cur when you release the Blu-Ray?

I met both Sheldon and Miriam at the Venetian first anniversary party in 2000.  He was cordial but guarded — she was not.  Very friendly and easy to talk to, not to mention attractive and smart.

Joseph Dec-23-2023

Agreed

Mr. Miller, you are right.

Bruce Debele Dec-23-2023

For over 7+ years

Funny how some can't read/listen to another point of view or thought without getting all bunched up.  Delete it if it bothers you so much.  Different points of view is what makes America freat and unique.

Question of the Day - 22 December 2023

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