Conrad Hilton
Conrad Nicholson Hilton (December 25, 1887 - January 3, 1979) noted hotelier, was born in San Antonio, New Mexico Territory, and died in Santa Monica, California. He is buried at Calvary Hills Cemetery, Dallas, Texas; He was the son of Augustus Holver Hilton and Mary Laufersweiler.In 1925, he married Mary Barron with whom he had three children. He was also married to actress Zsa Zsa Gabor. They had one daughter together, Francesca, who is the only child born to any of the three Gabor sisters. In 1976 Conrad Hilton married Mary Frances.
His eldest son Conrad Hilton Jr, married actress Elizabeth Taylor and Patricia McClintock.
Hilton bought his first hotel in Cisco, Texas, and acquired others to form the Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1946. The company expanded into credit cards, car rentals, and other travel services.
His autobiography, "Be My Guest," is excellent reading for American History and Hospitality Management students alike. It should be noted that in his early twenties, he was a representative in the first state legislature of the newly-formed State of New Mexico.
Hilton is a great business man. He is a typical example of traditional American business tycoon. He ranks along with Ford (automobile), Morgan (finance), Rockfeller (petroleum), Du Pont (armament and chemical), Disney (entertainment), Hughes (airplane), Stanford (railway), Carnegie (steel), Duke (tabacco).
Marriages and Children:
- 1925 - Mary Barron
- ? - Conrad Nicholson Hilton, Jr
- ? - Eric Michael Hilton
- ? - William Barron Hilton
- 1942 - Zsa Zsa Gabor
- ? - Francesca
- 1976 - Mary Frances