Self made man. Born into a poor family of immigrants, the businessman was able to become one of the richest people on the planet, his successful deals followed one after another, leaving no chance for competitors.
Biography
Kerk Kerkorian was born in 1917 in the town of Fresno, California. The boy's grandfather emigrated to America from Armenia in 1890. The Kirk family brought up four children, his father was engaged in farming, but not very successfully. In 1921, the Kirk family moved to Los Angeles.
Kirk made money on his own from an early age. After studying in a general education stake of eight classes, he leaves school and gets a job as an auto mechanic. Boxing becomes a real passion of the young man, Kirk takes part in competitions, he managed to become a champion among amateurs.
In the 39th year he is fond of aviation. After graduating from a flight school, he becomes an instructor pilot. During World War II, he served in the United States Army Air Force.
After the end of the war, he remained in the armed forces, during his service he set a world record for a flight across the Atlantic.
The high salary allowed Kirk to save money to raise start-up capital to run his own business.
Career
Kerkorian buys several planes with the collected money and opens a charter airline. The very principle of charter airlines was innovation at that time.
The young entrepreneur's business is developing successfully, in 1950 he began working with the largest American airlines.
In 1962, he began trading in shares; in five years, Kerkorian managed to earn almost $ 40 million.
In 1966 he was engaged in the resale of aircraft, having created a charter airline, sold it with an income of about $ 100 million.
In 67 he changed his business direction, was engaged in the construction of real estate, in particular, one of the largest American hotels in Los Angeles. By 86, this line of his activity brought him about $ 600 mln.
Since 1968 he has been in the film business, becoming the director of four leading film production companies. The activity turned out to be unprofitable, Kerkorian sold one of the companies, invested money in the gaming business.
In the nineties and two thousandth, he successfully trades in stocks.
Personal life
Kerkorian's first marriage with dancer Jean Marie Hardy did not last long, the couple broke up. In this marriage, Kerkorian's daughter Tracy was born.
He does not advertise his personal life in the press, it is known that Kerkorian constantly lives in a residence in the suburbs of Los Angeles.
The billionaire is actively involved in charity work, has supported Armenia since 1998, during the time of the charity he has actively donated $ 224 million to restore the homeland of his ancestors.
In 2010, he donates $ 200 million for scientific research.
He died in 2015 in Los Angeles, a little before his 100th birthday.
