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The famous hotelier and philanthropist Barron Hilton died this week at his home in Los Angeles.
He was 91 years old and died of natural causes this Thursday, said the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.
His son, Steven M. Hilton, who serves as chairman of the board of directors of the Hilton Foundation, said the family mourns the loss of a notable man.
“My father was a loving husband to our mother, Marilyn, a wonderful model for her eight children, a loyal and generous friend, a visionary businessman, a respected leader and a passionate athlete. He lived a life of great adventure and exceptional achievements. ”
I am deeply saddened by the loss of my grandfather Barron Hilton. He was a Legend, a visionary, brilliant, handsome, kind and lived a life full of accomplishment and adventure. Ever since I was a little girl I have looked up to him as a businessman. pic.twitter.com/eGFXAz1LUr
- Paris Hilton (@ParisHilton) September 20, 2019
His granddaughter, Paris Hilton, said she always admired him.
"I am deeply sad for the loss of my grandfather Barron Hilton," he tweeted. "He was a legend, a visionary, bright, handsome, kind and lived a life full of achievements and adventures."
In 2007, CNN reported that Barron Hilton would spend the unexpected profit of $ 1.2 billion from the sale of Hilton Hotels Corp., not to his famous progeny, but to his family's philanthropic foundation. His family said he gave 97% of his wealth to the foundation's humanitarian work.
He was born in Dallas on October 23, 1927. He moved with his father, Conrad N. Hilton, to Los Angeles in 1937 and began his career in lodging as a teenager when parking cars for hotel guests.
Hilton later enlisted in the Navy, where he developed his love for amateur photography and took flight lessons, obtaining his private pilot license and pursuing it as a passion throughout his life.
In a statement, the NFL Chargers team that helped found said it would not exist without him.
"Put simply, the modern NFL would not be what it is today without the vision of Barron Hilton," said Dean Spanos, the team's controlling owner. "A founding father and founding member of" the initial AFL, sarcastically called 'Club of the Fools', Barron was a pioneer leader, risky entrepreneur, prolific philanthropist, devout family man and, of course, anything but dumb. "
Hilton spent two decades as an entrepreneur before succeeding his father as chairman of the board of Hilton Hotels Corp. in 1966.
Even after retiring in 1996, he remained chairman of the board as his successor focused on mergers and acquisitions, according to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation website.
CNN's Chuck Johnston contributed to this report.
Barron Hilton Paris Hilton
