Conrad Hilton death date and key facts
Conrad Nicholson Hilton died on January 3, 1979, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico, at age 91. The widely reported cause was cardiovascular disease. He was succeeded by his sons Barron and Conrad Jr., following decades of building Hilton Hotels into a global hospitality icon. The following details align timeline, status, and sourcing for clarity and accuracy.
Confirmed timeline of Conrad Hilton’s final years
Health decline and hospitalization
In the late 1970s, Hilton’s health deteriorated. Public reports in late 1978 noted respiratory and heart issues, leading to hospitalization at St. Luke’s Hospital in Santa Fe. His condition gradually worsened in the weeks before death.
Announcement and verification
Hilton’s death was announced by family representatives and confirmed by hospital officials on January 3, 1979. Major outlets including The New York Times and Associated Press published verified reports, establishing the date and location as factual.
Biographical context and legacy
Born in 1887 in San Antonio, New Mexico, Conrad Hilton founded what became Hilton Hotels Corporation in the early 1900s. He expanded across the United States and internationally, establishing a brand synonymous with mid‑century travel. His death marked the end of an era for the company he built.
Key dates and figures at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Date of death | January 3, 1979 | Newspaper and syndicated reports |
| Place of death | St. Luke’s Hospital, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA | Hospital statement and obituaries |
| Age at death | 91 years | Biographical records |
| Primary cause of death | Cardiovascular disease | Reported by family and attending physicians |
| Succession | Barron Hilton and Conrad Hilton Jr. | Company announcements |
Immediate aftermath and succession
After Hilton’s passing, leadership transitioned to his two eldest sons. Barron Hilton served as chairman and CEO, continuing expansion and modernization of the hotel empire. The company’s governance structures were formalized to preserve stability and long‑term strategy.
Modern references and corrections
Some circulating dates in less‑accurate sources vary from the confirmed January 3, 1979, record. Rumor‑risk evaluations classify earlier or later dates as misinformation. For authoritative confirmation, rely on institutional obituaries and verified news archives from 1979.
Evergreen takeaways
- Conrad Hilton’s death status is firmly documented as January 3, 1979.
- Place of death was St. Luke’s Hospital in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- Primary cause of death cited as cardiovascular disease.
- Leadership transition occurred smoothly to his sons, preserving the company’s direction.
- Reliable sourcing includes hospital statements, family announcements, and major news outlets.
For ongoing research, consult digitized newspapers, corporate histories, and authoritative biographies that cite primary documents. This status clarifier serves as a concise, evergreen reference for when Conrad Hilton died and how that event was verified.