Miriam Adelson is an Israeli-American physician, businesswoman, philanthropist, and conservative political donor, with an estimated net worth of $39.4 billion.
A physician who dedicated her early career to treating drug addiction, she became the heir to one of the world's largest casino empires, a business often associated with the very vulnerabilities she sought to heal. An Israeli-born scientist, she grew into one of the most influential political donors in American history. With an estimated net worth of $39.4 billion, Dr. Miriam Adelson is not merely one of the world's wealthiest women; she is a singular force who seamlessly blends medical passion, business acumen, and ideological conviction to shape agendas from Las Vegas to Jerusalem.
Early Life and Ethnicity of Miriam Adelson
Miriam Adelson’s identity is deeply rooted in her Israeli-Jewish heritage. Born Miriam Farbstein in 1945 in Tel Aviv, her life began as the modern state of Israel was taking shape. Her parents were Holocaust survivors, a fact that profoundly influenced her worldview, instilling a powerful sense of resilience, the imperative of a Jewish homeland, and a deep-seated understanding of existential threat. Growing up in a nation defined by struggle and self-reliance, she developed the strong Zionist commitment that would guide her philanthropy and politics for decades.
Her academic path reflected a sharp, scientific mind. She earned her medical degree from Tel Aviv University and specialized in internal medicine and addiction. Her interest in substance abuse was not just clinical; it was a societal mission. After practicing as a physician in Israel, she moved to the United States in the 1980s for a fellowship at Rockefeller University in New York, where her research continued to focus on the pathology of drug addiction. This period cemented her professional credentials, setting her on a path that would, paradoxically, intersect with the world of high-stakes gambling.
Career Pivot of Miriam Adelson
The pivotal moment in Miriam Adelson’s life came in 1988 when she was set up on a blind date with Sheldon Adelson, a brash and ambitious businessman who owned the computer trade show COMDEX. They married in 1991. Sheldon, who would build Las Vegas Sands Corp. into a global gaming behemoth, found in Miriam not just a life partner but an intellectual equal. Her medical background became a unique part of the Sands story.
While Sheldon masterminded the development of iconic integrated resorts like The Venetian and The Palazzo in Las Vegas and the Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, Miriam ensured their legacy included a commitment to addressing addiction. In 2000, the couple founded the Adelson Clinic for Drug Abuse Research and Treatment in Las Vegas, with Miriam serving as its hands-on director. The clinic provides free, evidence-based care, often using the medication buprenorphine, which Miriam had extensively researched. This work allowed her to maintain her identity as a physician, even as her role as a corporate leader expanded.
Following Sheldon’s death in 2021, Miriam Adelson stepped into the spotlight as the majority shareholder and de facto leader of Las Vegas Sands. With a controlling 56% stake in the company, she oversees a global empire that, while having sold its Vegas properties, remains a dominant force in Macao and Singapore. She has proven to be a shrewd steward, navigating complex international relations and guiding the company's post-pandemic recovery, which has been a primary driver behind her soaring $39+ billion net worth.
Net Worth of Miriam Adelson: $39.4 Billion
Miriam Adelson’s net worth is estimated at $39.4 billion. The bedrock of this wealth is her majority stake in Las Vegas Sands (LVS). The resurgence of travel and tourism in Asia, particularly the rebound in Macao, has significantly boosted LVS's stock price, directly inflating her portfolio. Her ownership is not passive; she sits on the company's board and is deeply involved in major strategic decisions.
Beyond casinos, her assets are diverse and strategic. In a move that cemented her status as a major figure in American sports and culture, she led the purchase of the Dallas Mavericks NBA franchise in 2023 for approximately $2 billion. This investment is about more than diversification; it’s a high-profile platform that increases her influence and integrates her into the fabric of American business and society. Her portfolio also includes significant real estate holdings and other private investments, all managed with the same disciplined approach she applied to medicine.
Philanthropy, Political Influence of Miriam Adelson and Friendship with Donald Trump
Miriam Adelson's philanthropy, primarily channeled through the Adelson Family Foundation, is as strategic and substantial as her business investments, with total giving exceeding $500 million. The foundation's giving follows a clear "Adelson Doctrine," focused on two primary pillars:
1, Medical Research and Treatment: True to her life's work, Miriam Adelson has directed hundreds of millions of dollars to addiction science and treatment centers in both the U.S. and Israel. This philanthropy is a direct extension of her clinical career.
2. Pro-Israel Advocacy and Jewish Causes: This is the couple's most publicly pronounced mission. They have donated vast sums to Birthright Israel, which sponsors trips for young Jewish adults to visit Israel, and to Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Their goal is unequivocal: to strengthen Jewish identity and ensure the security of the state of Israel.
In the political arena, the Adelsons have exerted their most direct and controversial influence. They are arguably the most influential Republican megadonors of the last decade. In the 2020 election cycle, they contributed well over $90 million to conservative candidates and PACs. In 2024, Miriam Adelson donated $106 million to support Donald Trump's campaign.
Their friendship with Trump was close and consequential. Miriam Adelson was a key advocate for moving the U.S. Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem—a promise Trump fulfilled. Miriam’s influence continues this legacy, ensuring that unwavering support for Israel’s conservative government remains a cornerstone of the Republican platform. For her critics, this represents the outsized influence of money in politics. For her supporters, it is a legitimate exercise of her right to advocate for causes she believes are vital to the survival of America and Israel.
Personal Life of Miriam Adelson
Miriam Adelson has five children—two from her previous marriage and three from Sheldon's—and is deeply involved in their lives. She maintains homes in Las Vegas, Tel Aviv, and other locations, often traveling to Israel to oversee her philanthropic projects there. Despite her immense wealth, she is often described as private and serious, a physician at heart who is more comfortable discussing medical research than the glitz of Las Vegas.
Legacy of Miriam Adelson
Miriam Adelson’s story is without parallel. She is a Holocaust survivor’s daughter who became a billionaire; a doctor who owns a casino empire; an Israeli immigrant who helps set the American political agenda. Her $39.4 billion net worth in 2025 is a measure of financial success, but her true influence is far more complex.
She represents the convergence of science, wealth, and ideology. Her legacy will be judged through multiple lenses: the addicts treated at her clinics, the young Jews who connect with their heritage through her donations, the political landscapes she has helped reshape, and the global business empire she now commands. In a world of increasing specialization, Miriam Adelson remains a formidable generalist, wielding her resources across multiple domains to leave an indelible mark on the 21st century.