Casino magnate, spouse of Presidential Medal of Honor recipient and Republican megadonor Sheldon Adelson died overnight in New York City of complications to cancer, CNN reports.
The CEO of Las Vegas Sands casino, Adelson used the wealth he accumulated to influence GOP politics and candidates for decades, withholding or granting hundreds of millions of dollars to candidates he favored to reshape specific races or party policy.
Before entering the gambling industry, Adelson made his wealth by starting the COMDEX computer and electronics trade show. In 2015, he purchased the Las Vegas Journal Review newspaper so he could promote his political views in the popular press.
Adelson’s wife was awarded a Presidential Medal of Honor by Donald Trump, supposedly because of philanthropic activity.