Kirk Kerkorian
A reclusive aviation tycoon who transformed the Las Vegas Strip three times over by betting big on the concept of the immersive, city-sized resort hotel.
1917–2015 (age 98)·American businessman, investor, and philanthropist·Birthday: June 6·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Kirk Kerkorian operated from the shadows, a man of few words who reshaped the skyline of American entertainment through sheer scale and audacious timing. A former boxer and WWII ferry pilot, he parlayed a knack for trading aircraft into a fortune, then set his sights on Las Vegas. His vision was simple but revolutionary: build not just casinos, but self-contained worlds. In 1969, he opened the International Hotel (later the Las Vegas Hilton), then the world's largest, headlining with Barbra Streisand. He topped himself in 1973 with the original MGM Grand, a 2,100-room behemoth that defined opulence until a tragic fire. Undeterred, he rebuilt an even larger MGM Grand in 1993, cementing the 'mega-resort' as the Strip's template. His moves were equally bold in Hollywood, where he bought and sold the MGM studio three times, each transaction a seismic event in the industry. Kerkorian's legacy is written in neon and balance sheets—a testament to the power of thinking bigger than anyone else dared.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Kirk was born in 1917, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Kirk Was Born
The biggest hits of 1917
#1 Movie
Cleopatra
Kirk's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1917Born
Russian Revolution overthrows the tsar; US enters WWI
President: Woodrow Wilson
1922Started school
King Tut's tomb discovered in Egypt
President: Warren G. Harding"April Showers" — Al Jolson
1930Became a teenager
Pluto discovered
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $3,510President: Herbert Hoover"Body and Soul" — Paul WhitemanBest Picture: All Quiet on the Western Front
1933Could drive
FDR's New Deal launches; Prohibition ends
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Stormy Weather" — Ethel WatersBest Picture: Cavalcade
1935Could vote
Social Security Act signed into law
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,450President: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Cheek to Cheek" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Mutiny on the Bounty
1938Turned 21
Kristallnacht and the escalation toward WWII
Gas: $0.20/galHome: $2,850Min wage: $0.25/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Begin the Beguine" — Artie ShawBest Picture: You Can't Take It with You
1947Turned 30
India gains independence; the Dead Sea Scrolls found
Gas: $0.23/galHome: $6,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Near You" — Francis CraigBest Picture: Gentleman's Agreement
1957Turned 40
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 50
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 60
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1987Turned 70
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1997Turned 80
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2015Died at 98
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
Key Achievements
- Built the world's largest hotel in Las Vegas on three separate occasions: the International Hotel (1969), the original MGM Grand (1973), and the new MGM Grand (1993).
- Founded the airline Trans International Airlines, which he later sold to Transamerica Corporation, providing capital for his Las Vegas investments.
- Acquired the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film studio in 1969 and was involved in its ownership and sale multiple times over subsequent decades.
- His company, Tracinda, made major investments in and orchestrated significant corporate maneuvers involving companies like Chrysler and General Motors.
Did You Know?
He was a licensed pilot who flew surplus military aircraft across the Atlantic to sell in Europe after World War II.
He was a championship-caliber amateur boxer in his youth, fighting under the name 'Rifle Right Kerkorian'.
He donated the single largest individual gift to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) at the time—a $100 million pledge in 2011.
Despite his immense wealth and influence, he was famously private and rarely gave interviews or made public appearances.
“I'm not a gambler. I've never believed in having my money work for the other guy.”
