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(G911 News Wire) - Kirk Kerkorian, a billionaire who helped transform Las Vegas into a gambling empire, has died at the age of 98. Kerkorian passed away in Los Angeles Monday from undisclosed causes. Born into an Armenian family in Fresno, California, Kerkorian immersed himself in several industries that include airline travel, Hollywood motion pictures and the auto sector. His fortune last year was estimated to be at $4 billion.
Kerkorian developed the first mega-resorts on the Las Vegas Strip. He oversaw the $4.4 billion purchase of Mirage Resorts and purchased the Mandalay Resort Group in 2004 for $4.8 billion. Kerkorian was also MGM’s biggest shareholder prior to his death.
MGM issued the following statement after learning of Kerkorian’s passing.
“Mr. Kerkorian was a quiet but powerful force behind the transformation of the Las Vegas Strip into one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. He was also a generous humanitarian who donated hundreds of millions of dollars to charities worldwide.”
- Aaron Goldstein, Gambling911.com
