Kirk Kerkorian passes away

by Asbarez.com 

Armenian-American billionaire and philanthropist Kirk Kerkorian died Monday at his home in Beverly Hills, his business partner said Tuesday. He was 98.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Kerkorian’s death was confirmed Anthony Mandekic, the president and CEO of Kerkorian’s company Tracinda.

A casino and entertainment magnet, Kerkorian was also the founder of the Lincy Foundation, which for years supported Armenian schools, as well as launched several development projects in Armenia. In 2011, the Lincy Foundation was shut down and the balance was transferred to UCLA, which established the Dream Fund. The fund continues Kerkorian’s legacy of assisting Armenian schools and other community educational endeavors.

Long a fixture on the Forbes list of riches people in the world, in 2014 Kerkorian was ranked the richest Armenian on the Forbes billionaires list.

As recently as Monday, Asbarez reported about Kerkorian’s effort to produce a big-budget film on the Armenian Genocide. The film, called ” The Promise,” is set to star Christian Bale and Oscar Issac and will be directed by Terry Jones of “Hotel Rwanda” fame.

In 2008, Kekorian was honored for his philanthropy by the USC Armenian Studies Institute. During a brief chat with Horizon correspondent Hayk Tovmasyan, Kerkorian reflected on his vision for Armenia.

“I’d like to see a more happy, more free, more prosperous Armenia. I want everything for Armenia,” Kerkorian said.