Sumner Redstone

Date of Birth: May 27, 1923

Zodiac Sign: Gemini

Date of Death: August 11, 2020

Biography

Sumner Redstone, born Sumner Murray Rothstein, was a prominent American businessman and media magnate. He was born on May 27, 1923, in Boston, Massachusetts, to a Jewish family. Redstone was best known for his leadership roles at ViacomCBS and National Amusements, where he significantly influenced the media landscape. After serving in World War II as part of a special intelligence unit that cracked Japanese codes, he attended Harvard College and Harvard Law School, graduating with honors. Redstone initially practiced law but later joined his family’s drive-in movie theater business, National Amusements. Under his stewardship, the company expanded into a global entertainment empire, owning significant stakes in CBS, Viacom, Paramount Pictures, and more. Known for his aggressive acquisition strategies, Redstone transformed Viacom into a major media conglomerate. Apart from his business acumen, Redstone was known for his tumultuous personal life and legal battles with family members over control of his empire. He passed away on August 11, 2020, leaving behind a complex legacy in the media industry.

5 Interesting Facts about Sumner Redstone

1. Sumner Redstone changed his last name from Rothstein to Redstone in 1940.

2. He was a major force behind the acquisitions of CBS and Paramount Pictures.

3. Redstone was known for his catchphrase, “Content is king.”

4. He survived a near-fatal hotel fire in 1979, which left him with severe burns.

5. In his later years, Redstone was involved in high-profile legal battles with his ex-girlfriends and family members over control of his media empire.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sumner Redstone

1. “Content is king.”

2. “Success is not built on success. It’s built on failure. It’s built on frustration. Sometimes it’s built on catastrophe.”

3. “Stay hungry, stay humble.”

4. “I will never retire.”

5. “Ambition is the key to success.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Sumner Redstone’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $5 billion.

Children

Sumner Redstone had two children: 1. Shari Redstone: She is an American media executive who serves as the chairwoman of ViacomCBS and president of National Amusements. 2. Brent Redstone: He is a lawyer and former media executive who was involved in legal disputes with his father over the family business.