Kirk Kerkorian

Kirk Kerkorian was a very busy man.

He loved to fly planes. He even flew planes across the ocean.

He also built huge hotels. He built the largest hotel in the world. These big buildings helped Las Vegas grow.

Kirk also owned a famous movie studio. He helped make many films.

He was a very kind man too. He gave a lot of money to help others. He gave money to help his family's land.

He helped many people in need. He was a great leader.

Kirk Kerkorian was a famous businessman.

He was born in 1917 to Armenian parents. He loved to fly planes. During World War II, he flew planes across the ocean. He even broke a record for a fast flight to Scotland. Later, he started an airline. He was one of the first to use big jet planes.

Kerkorian helped change Las Vegas. He is known as a father of the mega-resort. This means he helped build very large hotels. He built the largest hotel in the world three different times. He also owned the MGM movie studio. He bought many film companies to help them grow.

He was also very kind. He gave more than $1 billion to charity. He used his Lincy Foundation to help Armenia. This helped people after a large earthquake in 1988. Because of his help, Armenia gave him their highest award. They named him a National Hero.

Kirk Kerkorian was a very important American businessman and investor.

He was born on June 6, 1917, in Fresno, California. His parents were immigrants from Armenia. He grew up speaking Armenian as his first language. Later in life, he became a famous figure in Las Vegas. People call him a "father of the mega-resort." This is because he helped design and build huge hotels. He even built the world's largest hotel three different times.

Kerkorian loved to fly planes and started his career as a pilot. During World War II, he flew planes for the British Royal Air Force. He helped move Mosquito planes across the Atlantic Ocean to Scotland. He often used a fast path called the "Iceland Wave." This path used strong winds to push planes at high speeds. In May 1944, he and John de Lacy Wooldridge broke a record. They flew to Scotland in just seven hours and nine minutes.

After the war, he started a business to trade aircraft. He eventually created Trans International Airlines, which he called TIA. In 1962, he bought a Douglas DC-8 jet plane. He was the first charter operator to use these big jets. This move helped his airline grow and make much more money. In 1968, he sold his share of the airline for $104 million. This was his first huge fortune. He used his money to invest in many other companies.

Kerkorian also changed the world of movies and hotels. In 1969, he purchased the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer movie studio, known as MGM. He built the International Hotel in 1967, which was the largest in the world. Elvis Presley even performed there for many days in a row. He also built the original MGM Grand Hotel. Sadly, a large fire happened at the MGM Grand in 1980. The fire caused 87 deaths in total.

Beyond his business, Kerkorian was a very kind man who gave much to charity. He started the Lincy Foundation in 1989. He gave over $1 billion to help people in Armenia. This money helped rebuild the country after a big earthquake in 1988. He also helped pay for a film called "The Promise." This movie tells the history of the Armenian genocide. Because of his help, Armenia named him a National Hero.

Kirk Kerkorian was a prominent American businessman, investor, and philanthropist.

He was born on June 6, 1917, in Fresno, California. His parents were Armenian immigrants who had escaped the Armenian genocide. Kerkorian grew up speaking Armenian as his first language. He later became a central figure in the development of Las Vegas. Along with architect Martin Stern Jr., he is known as the "father of the mega-resort." This title reflects his role in creating massive, all-in-one hotel complexes.

Kerkorian's career began in the sky as a pilot. During World War II, he flew for the British Royal Air Force. He helped ferry de Havilland Mosquito planes across the Atlantic Ocean to Scotland. He often used a direct route called the "Iceland Wave." This route used strong winds to push planes at high speeds. In May 1944, Kerkorian and John de Lacy Wooldridge broke a crossing record. They reached Scotland in seven hours and nine minutes.

After the war, Kerkorian entered the aviation business. He and his sister started a partnership to trade aircraft. He eventually founded Trans International Airlines, or TIA. In 1962, he purchased a Douglas DC-8 jet. He was the first charter operator to use jet engines for his business. He called this move his "real breakthrough" because it increased his profits. In 1968, he sold his share of TIA for $104 million. This sale created his first major fortune.

Kerkorian used his wealth to reshape the Las Vegas landscape. He purchased land in 1962 that later became Caesars Palace. He earned $9 million from that land through rent and a sale. In 1967, he built the International Hotel on Paradise Road. At the time, it was the largest hotel in the world. Elvis Presley performed there and brought in 4,200 customers daily.

He also expanded into the film industry by purchasing Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, or MGM, in 1969. He and Martin Stern Jr. built the original MGM Grand Hotel. This building was larger than the Empire State Building. However, the hotel faced a tragedy on November 21, 1980. A massive fire broke out at the MGM Grand. The disaster resulted in 87 total deaths. The hotel reopened only eight months after the fire.

Kerkorian's relationship with MGM was complex and lasted many years. He managed the studio through various changes and sales. In 1981, he bought United Artists to create the MGM/UA Entertainment Company. He later sold MGM to Ted Turner in 1986. After several ownership changes involving banks and other investors, Kerkorian bought MGM back in 1996. He continued to expand the company by purchasing Orion Pictures and other film libraries. He eventually sold his interest in MGM to a group led by Sony in 2005.

Beyond his commercial success, Kerkorian was a dedicated philanthropist. He established the Lincy Foundation in 1989. Through this foundation, he provided over $1 billion for charity in Armenia. Much of this funding helped rebuild northern Armenia after the 1988 earthquake. He also funded the film "The Promise," which covers the history of the Armenian genocide. Because of his support, Armenia named him a National Hero. He was also granted honorary citizenship of the country.