Sheldon G. Adelson is the former CEO and Chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp. He played a crucial role in shaping the casino and convention industry. Adelson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from City College of New York....

Sheldon G. Adelson is the former CEO and Chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corp. He played a crucial role in shaping the casino and convention industry. Adelson earned a Bachelor of Science in Business from City College of New York. He founded Las Vegas Sands in 1988, which famously created the Sands Expo and Convention Center, the first privately owned convention center in the U.S. Under his leadership, LAS transformed into a leading international gaming and resort company. In 2009, he was appointed Chairman of Sands China, further expanding his influence in the industry. Despite some tough times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which affected his salary, Adelson's previous earnings peaked at over $24 million in 2019. Financially savvy, he owned a significant share in his company and at one point had over 10% of total shares. His insider trading activity saw fluctuations in company value, notably reaching nearly $24 billion in late 2019 before dropping considerably in 2021. Adelson has consistently maneuvered through ups and downs in the gaming and hospitality sectors, demonstrating a knack for resilience and strategic decision-making.

Quick Links

1. Rivals

2. Holdings

3. Insider Trading

4. Compensation History

5. Other Las Vegas Sands CEOs

L

Sheldon G. Adelson

Founder and Ex-CEO of Las Vegas Sands

Education

Bachelor of Science in Business from City College of New York

Field of Expertise

Business & Management

Sector of Economy

Consumer Cyclical

Born

August 4, 1933 - 91 years ago

CEO of Las Vegas Sands for

17 years 0 months (Jan 2004 - Jan 2021)

Previous Experience

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Sands Corp. since its inception

Rivals

Competitors/colleagues of Sheldon G. Adelson

H

Christopher J. Nassetta

CEO of Hilton Worldwide

2023 Compensation

Stock

$32.00M

Salary

$1.30M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$729.69K

Total Holdings

$654.02M

B

Keith E. Smith

CEO of Boyd Gaming

2023 Compensation

Stock

$16.70M

Salary

$1.55M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$26.16K

Total Holdings

$72.48M

M

William Hornbuckle

CEO of MGM Resorts International

2023 Compensation

Stock

$4.50M

Salary

$2.00M

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$228.88K

Total Holdings

$19.84M

O

Leonard Fluxman

CEO of OneSpaWorld Holdings Limited

2023 Compensation

Stock

$1.47M

Salary

$910.25K

Bonus

$2.28M

Other

$92.19K

Total Holdings

$33.04M

C

Thomas J. Smach

CEO of Crocs

2014 Compensation

Stock

$0.00

Salary

$0.00

Bonus

$0.00

Other

$0.00

Total Holdings

$23.05M

C

Tom Reeg

CEO of Caesars Entertainment, Inc.

2023 Compensation

Stock

$12.50M

Salary

$2.00M

Bonus

$4.11M

Other

$336.59K

Total Holdings

$4.07M

Holdings

See how much did Sheldon G. Adelson make over time.

Sheldon G. Adelson's holdings reveal a fascinating picture of his financial journey. At one point, he owned over 10% of Las Vegas Sands Corp. His wealth was significantly tied to company performance, with fluctuations in value from about $22 billion...

Sheldon G. Adelson's holdings reveal a fascinating picture of his financial journey. At one point, he owned over 10% of Las Vegas Sands Corp. His wealth was significantly tied to company performance, with fluctuations in value from about $22 billion in September 2019 to a staggering high of $49 billion in December of that same year. Following a tough 2020, where the pandemic hit hard, his holdings saw a drop, hitting $15 billion by September 2021, showcasing the volatility of the gaming industry. Overall, his stock ownership reflects both his commitment to the company and the tumultuous nature of the casino business.

Charitable Transactions

LVS

532,487,585 shares

LVS

Recent Charitable Transactions

LVS

3,770,000 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2019

Charity

LVS

9,408,305 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2018

Charity

LVS

4,995,389 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2017

Charity

LVS

6,000,000 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2016

Charity

LVS

4,500,000 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2015

Charity

LVS

14,224,508 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2014

Charity

Insider Trading

See recent insider trades of Sheldon G. Adelson.

LVS

3,795,800 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2019

Charity

LVS

3,770,000 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2019

Charity

LVS

9,408,305 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2018

Charity

LVS

7,458,616 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2018

Charity

LVS

4,995,389 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2017

Charity

LVS

6,801,022 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2017

Charity

LVS

24,894 shares

LVS

Jan 23, 2017

Received

LVS

6,000,000 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2016

Charity

LVS

3,465,403 shares

LVS

Dec 31, 2016

Charity

LVS

44,434 shares

LVS

Jan 26, 2016

Received

Compensation History

See how much did Sheldon G. Adelson make over time.

Adelson's compensation illustrates the intricacies of executive pay in volatile industries. In 2019, he earned about $24.6 million, largely from a massive cash bonus due to strong company performance. However, the COVID-19 pandemic took a toll on his earnings, reducing his total to around $5.8 million in 2021. His pay was primarily salary, with no bonuses or stock grants given during the pandemic years, highlighting a strict connection between company performance and executive incentives. Adelson’s compensation reflects the goal of aligning executive interests with company performance, but also shows how external market conditions can impact even top executives.

Year

2021

Total Compensation

$5.78M

Salary

$5.31M

Board Justification

The compensation philosophy focuses on aligning executive compensation with company performance and shareholder interests, ensuring that compensation is competitive and supports retention and motivation of key executives.

Bonus

$0.00

Board Justification

Due to the material negative impact that the COVID-19 Pandemic had on our operating results in 2021, our named executive officers did not receive any bonuses in respect of performance in 2021, consistent with 2020.

Other

$477.24K

Board Justification

Includes various forms of compensation such as health care insurance, life insurance, and other benefits.

Restricted Stock

$0.00(0 N/A)

Board Justification

No stock awards vested in 2021 as there were no stock grants that vested during the year.

Performance Metrics

The performance metrics for 2021 were not met due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in no bonuses or equity awards for the named executive officers.

Other Las Vegas Sands CEOs

Here are other CEOs of Las Vegas Sands

Robert G. Goldstein

CEO of Las Vegas Sands

January 2021 - Present