Sam Zell Net Worth At The Time of Death

Legendary real estate investor, Sam Zell had an estimated net worth of around $5.3 billion at the time of death. He was a veteran real estate investor who was also known as “the grave dancer” for his ability to revive moribund properties.

Zell was the founder and Chairman of the Equity Group Investments. He was announced dead by the company on Thursday, May 18, 2023. According to them, he died due to complications from a recent illness.

“Sam Zell was a self-made, visionary entrepreneur. He launched and grew hundreds of companies during his 60-plus-year career and created countless jobs. Although his investments spanned industries across the globe, he was most widely recognized for his critical role un creating the modern real estate investment trust, which today is more than $4 trillion industry,” the statement read.

Zell founded the Equity Group Investment in 1968 after trying to be a lawyer for a very brief moment. He was joined by Lurie and went on to grow their business until Lurie passed away in 1990.

Equity Office – sub of EGI- was sold to the Blackstone Group in 2006 for $36 billion in 2006, which at that time, was the largest leveraged buyout in history. Equity Lifestyle Properties now owns more than 400 trailer parks, however, they face constant criticisms for how they treat their customers.