Bernard Zell and Rochelle Zell were the parents of American billionaire, Sam Zell. They were Jewish immigrants from Poland. Bernard was a successful grain trader.
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According to sources, they all immigrated to the United States, and soon after arriving, they changed their names from Ruchla and Berek Zielonka, to Bernard Zell and Rochelle Zell. Sam who was first called Shmuel Zielonka, also changed his name to Sam Zell.
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The family moved from Seattle to the Albany Park neighborhood in Chicago, and Bernard eventually became a jewelry wholesaler.
Born on September 28, 1941, Sam Zell developed interest in real estate at a very young age. While in college, he entered the real estate business and managed a 15-unit apartment building in return for free room-and-board.
He 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.
He died on Thursday, 18, 2023, due to complications from a recent illness. He was 81.
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