Multi-generational weal through real estate investing.

[Jorge Vazquez]

Conrad Hilton, the creator of the Hilton empire, was born in 1887 after his father moved to the United States in 1854. As a boy, Conrad worked at his father’s general store, where he began developing the entrepreneurial business skills for which he is famous.

Then after a stint in the army during World War II, Mr. Hilton purchased a 40-room hotel. The hotel was so successful that he turned the dining room into additional rooms to meet the demand. Then in 1954, he made the largest purchase in real estate history to date, purchasing the Buffalo Statler Hotel for $111,000,000. Afterward, he bought additional hotels and created the world’s first international hotel chain – Hilton Hotels.

Upon his death in 1979, one of Conrad Hilton’s sons started his real estate firm, and the other son took over the family business. In 2007, Blackstone purchased Hilton Hotels for $26 billion.

Although the Hilton family no longer owns Hilton Hotels, the wealth generated by Conrad Hilton’s real estate investments continues to impact his family, in addition to the charity that was the principal beneficiary of his estate – the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation.

The story of Conrad Hilton is just one example of growing multi-generational wealth through real estate investing. Numerous others have also left a legacy and multi-generational wealth behind, such as John D. Rockefeller, who died in 1937 with assets equaling 1.5% of America’s total economic output.

[V.G Jason]

History is amazing. It all sounds great on paper to try to re-invent, but as markets get more advanced you just don't have those same opportunities. 

Multi-generational wealth can be amazing to develop, but you really get kicked in the side of the head when you realize that it doesn't create the type of environment for your successors to really get a similar grasp. I fear this for my family.