The famous Greek philosopher Socrates once said, ‘By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll become happy; if you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher.’
Sam Zell’s wife, Helen Zell, undoubtedly played an indispensable role in his life. Although she was the billionaire’s third wife, she was the one who stood shoulder to shoulder with him and complimented his achievements in business.
Real estate mogul and business tycoon, Sam Zell, departed from this world on May 18th, 2023, at age 81.
His death was announced in a statement by Equity Group Investments, the firm that Mr. Zell founded and chaired.
The statement did not reveal the details regarding Mr. Zell’s death. However, it did mention that the billionaire passed away as a result of an illness that he was diagnosed with recently.
Sam Zell’s success was not hidden from anyone. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that the billionaire spent most of his life switching between boardrooms and financial columns.
When you spend your day doing a million things like Mr. Zell, you want to come back home to a partner who understands and appreciates your struggle.
Helen was doubtlessly that person for him. She provided him comfort as a partner and supported him professionally as well.
Moving forward, let’s get an insight into Helen Zell’s life before we dig deep into the real estate mogul’s achievements.
A glance at Sam Zell wife accomplishments
Apart from her role as the billionaire Sam Zell’s wife, Helen is an active philanthropist, a leader in the arts and education sector, and the Executive Director of the Zell Family Foundation.
Helen Zell, previously known as Helen Shiller, was born on October 18, 1946, in Chicago, Illinois.
The late billionaire’s wife has an eye for music, literature and visual arts. She is the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association.
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Moreover, she is a board member of multiple theaters and contemporary art museums.
Her philanthropic efforts are also not hidden from anyone. She serves on the boards of directors of organizations working for the healthy development of at-risk children, and foundations that work to improve public education in the city.
Improving the lifestyle of low-income communities has been her main target. She truly believes in the power of education and works to improve the condition of underprivileged communities by educating their children.
Helen is a graduate of the University of Michigan and her dedication to her alma mater reflects in her advocacy for the University’s Literature, Science, and Arts program.
Sam Zell wife, Helen Zell’s philanthropic efforts are a combination of her work with the Zell Family Foundation and her individual endeavors.
The Zell Family Foundation provides significant ongoing support for the Helen Zell Writers’ Program, which was previously known as the university’s Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree program in Creative Writing.
It is a two-year program in creative writing with a specialization in either fiction or poetry.
Helen’s curriculum vitae includes a wide range of professional accomplishments including editor of journals published by the American Society, project director and acquisitions editor for Science Research Associates, Inc.; and general manager for the Chicago String Ensemble.
Later in her career, Helen also had the pleasure of owning an interior design firm.
Coming to her academic credentials, Helen Zell holds a bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the University of Michigan.
She stumbled upon Sam Zell during the late 1980s at a business conference. The duo tied the knot in 1995 and were each other’s pillar of strength since then right up until Mr. Zell’s demise.
Together, Sam and Helen Zell have held a torch for causes related to education, the arts, and community development.
The former power couple believed in the power of giving back and used their wealth and influence to make a positive impact on their community.
Meet Sam Zell, the business tycoon
Sam Zell was a self-made, innovative entrepreneur. He introduced and grew hundreds of companies during his six decades-long business career.
Consequently, he created millions of jobs and his investments spanned industries across the globe.
His most notable accomplishment was creating the modern real estate investment trust, which today is a more than $4 trillion industry.
Zell was born in Chicago on September 28, 1941. In 1966, he graduated with a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.
After graduation, he practiced law for one week after which he realized that it was not his specialty.
Robert H. Lurie, Zell’s former business partner, and he co-established the company that would become Equity Group Investments in 1968.
Cooperatively, they continued to enlarge the little business into a big conglomerate up until Lurie’s untimely passing in 1990.
Sam Zell’s personal life hit a few bumps in the initial days of his career. He got married three times throughout his life, out of which, his first two marriages ended up in divorce.
As a result, he became the father of three children, a biological daughter, Kellie, and two adopted children, JoAnn, from his first marriage, and Matthew, from his second marriage.
Mr. Zell is survived by his third wife Helen Zell and his children.
Sam Zell’s venture into the publishing world as chairman of the Tribune Company proved to be an enormous failure, a five-year-long dive into a whirlpool of resentment, downsizing, management scandals and bankruptcy.
At the end of 2012, the Tribune Company emerged from bankruptcy relatively intact but with half its original value.
Zell was the son of Polish Jews who fled to America in 1939 as World War II engulfed Europe.
He was widely known as the ‘grave dancer’ because of his ability to revive apparently dead properties.
Sam Zell lived a triumphant life. His achievements are undeniable and his absence will create a dent in the real estate industry.
