Miriam Adelson: The Israeli Billionaire with Political Influence in the U.S. and Israel
Miriam Adelson is considered one of the most influential figures in both U.S. and Israeli politics. From a medical specialist in addiction treatment to a billionaire with vast influence in politics and media, she has played a pivotal role in supporting Jewish causes and funding Republican election campaigns in the United States, notably those of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
1. Early Life and Education: From Tel Aviv to New York
Miriam Versailles (her maiden name) was born on October 10, 1945, in Tel Aviv, to a Polish-Jewish family that had fled to Palestine before World War II. She grew up in Haifa, where she attended the prestigious Reali School. After completing her high school education, she enrolled at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, earning a degree in microbiology and genetics. She later pursued medical studies at the Sackler Faculty of Medicine at Tel Aviv University, specializing in internal medicine.
During her career as a doctor, she began researching solutions for drug addiction, which led her to travel to the United States in the 1980s to continue her research at Rockefeller University in New York.
2. Medical Career: A Pioneer in Addiction Treatment
Upon moving to the United States, Miriam Adelson focused her efforts on addiction research. In 1993, she founded the Adelson Center for Drug Abuse Treatment at Ichilov Hospital in Tel Aviv, which became one of the leading addiction treatment centers in the Middle East. In 2000, she opened a similar center in Las Vegas, providing specialized programs for the rehabilitation of drug addicts and opioid users.
3. Marriage to Sheldon Adelson and Beginning of Financial Influence
Miriam met billionaire businessman Sheldon Adelson in the late 1980s, and they married in 1991. Sheldon owned the Las Vegas Sands empire, one of the largest companies in the luxury resort and casino industry globally.
Together, they expanded their investments in luxury resorts in places like Macau and Singapore, making them one of the wealthiest couples in the world, with an estimated net worth of over $30 billion.
After Sheldon’s death in 2021, Miriam took over the management of Las Vegas Sands, further increasing her financial and political influence, especially in the U.S. and Israel.
4. Political Influence: The Largest Donor to the Republican Party
Miriam Adelson has been one of the largest donors to the U.S. Republican Party, contributing hundreds of millions of dollars to support various election campaigns.
- In the 2016 election, she contributed $25 million to Donald Trump's campaign, making her one of his biggest financial backers.
- In the 2020 election, her contributions grew to $75 million to support Trump and other Republican allies.
- For the 2024 election, she donated about $100 million to the political action committee Preserve America, which was one of the largest supporters of Trump’s campaign.
This financial support made her one of the most powerful figures in U.S. politics, particularly in Middle East policy. For more details on Miriam Adelson’s role in American politics, see CNN - Trump and His Mega Donors.
5. Pressure on Netanyahu and Support for Israel
Alongside her influence in American politics, Miriam Adelson has been a strong supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
- She played a key role in funding the "Israel Hayom" newspaper, which is considered the primary media outlet supporting Netanyahu’s policies.
- She exerted pressure on the U.S. administration to support the annexation of the West Bank as part of Trump’s “Deal of the Century.”
- She helped strengthen the relationship between Israel and the United States during Trump’s tenure, particularly in areas like moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem and signing normalization agreements with several Arab nations.
To learn more about Miriam's influence on Israeli politics, check out Haaretz - The Power of Miriam Adelson.
6. Investments in Media and Shaping Public Opinion
In addition to Israel Hayom, the Adelson family invested in several media projects aimed at shaping public opinion in both Israel and the United States.
- She purchased stakes in conservative American media outlets to support her political agendas.
- She financed cultural and educational projects to promote Jewish identity and increase support for Israel in the U.S.
7. Awards and Recognition
Due to her extensive influence and ongoing support for American and Israeli policies, Miriam Adelson has received several prestigious awards:
- In 2018, President Donald Trump awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States, in recognition of her role in supporting U.S.-Israel relations.
- She has also received multiple honors from prominent Jewish organizations for her funding of educational and cultural projects aimed at strengthening Jewish identity.
8. Controversies Surrounding Her Political Influence
Given her significant role in funding election campaigns and conservative policies, Miriam Adelson has faced severe criticism from some political and media circles.
- Some see her as a "money queen" who uses her wealth to influence both U.S. and Israeli politics.
- The newspaper Israel Hayom has been criticized for its unwavering support for the Likud Party and its unyielding backing of Netanyahu.
- Her unlimited support for Trump has raised questions about the extent to which political money affects U.S. elections.
For more information on the influence of money in U.S. politics, you can refer to Forbes - Miriam Adelson Net Worth.
9. Personal Life and Wealth
After Sheldon Adelson’s death, Miriam became one of the wealthiest women in the world, with a net worth exceeding $35 billion.
She splits her time between the United States and Israel, spending most of her time in Las Vegas and Tel Aviv. She continues to manage her economic ventures while supporting both Israeli and U.S. conservative policies.
Miriam Adelson represents a unique model of a businesswoman with enormous political influence. From a medical professional specializing in addiction treatment, she became a billionaire influencing U.S. and Israeli policies through her financial and media support.
Whether supporting Trump or Netanyahu, or influencing media and political strategies, her ongoing role positions her as one of the most powerful figures of the 21st century.
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