Billionaire Profile

Global Rank

#54

Image: Department of Commerce. Bureau of the Census. 1913-1/1/1972 | Public domain | via Wikimedia Commons

Miriam Adelson & family

CEO, Casinos

UNITED STATES

Real-Time Net Worth

$36.629B

Estimated based on Casinos stock value as of March 6, 2026

-0.71% (24h)

Age

Source

Casinos

Industry

Gambling & Casinos

Citizenship

UNITED STATES

Biography

Dr. Miriam Adelson is an Israeli-American physician, businesswoman, philanthropist, and political donor. Born in Tel Aviv in 1945, she built a remarkable career in medicine, specializing in addiction treatment. After the passing of her husband, Sheldon Adelson, she has become one of the wealthiest women globally. Her wealth source is primarily from casinos, making her a key figure in the gambling industry. Miriam Adelson's achievements include founding substance abuse clinics and becoming the majority owner of Las Vegas Sands. She has also made significant contributions to Republican campaigns and various philanthropic initiatives, particularly those supporting Israel and Jewish communities.

Fact Checked

Verified by Editorial Team

Live Data

Updated 3/6/2026

Wealth Over Time

Portfolio Holdings

Las Vegas Sands Corp

In-Depth Profile

Early Life

Miriam Adelson was born Miriam Farbstein in Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel), on October 10, 1945. Her parents were Holocaust survivors from Poland who settled in Haifa. She attended the Hebrew Reali School and later served as a medical officer in the Israeli army. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and Genetics from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a medical degree from Tel Aviv University's Sackler Medical School.

Rise to Success

After her medical studies, Dr. Adelson specialized in internal and emergency medicine. She later devoted her time to researching and treating drug abuse and the biology of addiction. In 1991, she married Sheldon Adelson, the founder of Las Vegas Sands. Following his death in 2021, Miriam Adelson took control of their vast fortune.

Key Business Strategies

Miriam Adelson's primary source of wealth comes from the casino industry, with her family owning more than half of Las Vegas Sands. She also holds a majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks NBA team, diversifying her holdings. The Adelsons sold their Vegas properties in 2022, focusing on the Asian market.

Philanthropy

Miriam Adelson is a significant philanthropist, primarily supporting programs that benefit Israel and the Jewish people. She has donated to the Birthright Israel Foundation and Ariel University. Her philanthropy reflects her vision of strengthening the Jewish people through unity and knowledge.

Career Milestones

1945

Born in Tel Aviv

Miriam Farbstein was born in Tel Aviv, Mandatory Palestine (now Israel).

1986

Specialized in Drug Addiction

Miriam specialized in drug addiction at Rockefeller University.

1991

Married Sheldon Adelson

Miriam Adelson married Sheldon Adelson.

1993

Founded Substance Abuse Clinic

Miriam founded a substance abuse center and research clinic.

2007

Adelson Family Foundation established

The Adelson Family Foundation was established.

2018

Presidential Medal of Freedom

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

2021

Took control of Las Vegas Sands

Following her husband’s death, she took control of Las Vegas Sands.

2023

Bought majority stake in Dallas Mavericks

Bought majority stake in the Dallas Mavericks NBA team.

Philanthropy & Social Impact

Jewish Causes

Birthright Israel

$0.5B

Donated to the organization, which provides free trips to Israel for young Jewish people.

Education

Ariel University

$25M

Funneled funds into this Israeli institution.

Medical Research

Adelson Medical Research Foundation

$67M

Supports research to prevent, reduce, or eliminate disabling and life-threatening illnesses.

Controversies & Challenges

2020

Lawsuit

Named as a defendant in a lawsuit alleging the denationalization and dehumanization of the Palestinian people and the installation of an apartheid regime in the OPT. The case was dismissed in 2021.

2024

Political Donations

Controversial political donations, including $106 million to Donald Trump's 2024 election bid, have drawn scrutiny.

2024

Support for controversial initiatives

Support for initiatives criticized for pushing Israeli propaganda and whitewashing the occupation of Palestinian territories.

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