Detroit Free Press, MI
Oct 7 2006
BIO: Kirk Kerkorian
October 7, 2006
AGE: 89. TITLE: Self-made billionaire. Cochairman, president and CEO
of Tracinda Corp., a Beverly Hills, Calif.-based company named for
his daughters, Tracy and Linda. Tracinda is the majority owner of
casino and hotel operator MGM Mirage.
NET WORTH: $9 billion
ACCOMPLISHMENTS: Born in Fresno, Calif., to Armenian immigrants. Flew
planes across Atlantic during World War II. First fortune: Sold Trans
International Airlines for $104-million profit in the 1960s, invested
proceeds in Las Vegas; acquired Flamingo Hotel in 1967. Has been in
the hotel and casino business ever since. His MGM Mirage owns more
than half the hotel rooms on the Las Vegas Strip.
EDUCATION: High school diploma.
HOMETOWN: Los Angeles.
PERSONAL: Two children, three divorces.
Source: Forbes.com, Hoovers Inc. and Free Press research