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Miriam Adelson

Miriam Adelson is an Israeli-American physician, businesswoman, philanthropist, and political donor.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated September 11, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Miriam Adelson is an Israeli-American physician, businesswoman, philanthropist, and political donor. She is the widow of casino magnate Sheldon Adelson and has been associated with the Las Vegas Sands business empire, medical research philanthropy, and conservative political giving.

Early life and education

Miriam Adelson was born Miriam Farbstein in Tel Aviv in 1945 and later became an Israeli-American physician. Sources describe her as having studied medicine and later specialised in addiction treatment.

Medical career

Adelson worked as a doctor and developed a specialty in narcotic addiction and substance-abuse treatment. She founded or helped establish research and treatment centres in Tel Aviv and Las Vegas.

Business interests

Following her marriage to Sheldon Adelson, she became linked to the Las Vegas Sands casino company and is identified by Bloomberg as a majority shareholder. She is also reported to be the publisher of Israel Hayom.

Philanthropy and political activity

Adelson and her family have supported medical research, addiction treatment, Jewish and Israeli causes, and conservative political candidates and committees. Reports also describe her as a significant Republican donor.

Key facts

  • She trained as a physician specializing in addiction medicine.
  • She married Sheldon Adelson in 1991 and became involved in his business and philanthropy.
  • She is a majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands.
  • She has funded substance-abuse research and medical centres.
  • She is the publisher of Israel Hayom.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Miriam Adelson?
She is an Israeli-American physician, businesswoman, philanthropist, and political donor best known as the widow of Sheldon Adelson.
What is Miriam Adelson known for?
She is known for addiction-medicine work, philanthropy, major ownership in Las Vegas Sands, and political donations.
Was Miriam Adelson a doctor?
Yes. Sources describe her as a physician who specialised in addiction treatment and related research.
What companies is Miriam Adelson associated with?
She is identified as a majority shareholder of Las Vegas Sands and as the publisher of Israel Hayom.
Who was Miriam Adelson married to?
She was married to casino magnate Sheldon Adelson from 1991 until his death in 2021.
What causes has she supported?
She has supported medical research, addiction treatment, and Jewish, Israeli, and conservative political causes.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miriam_Adelson
    Supports: Birth date, identity, marriage to Sheldon Adelson, current publisher of Israel Hayom, wealth estimate, business associations.
  2. UNLV Special Collections — https://special.library.unlv.edu/jewishheritage/people/dr-miriam-adelson
    Supports: Medical training, addiction specialty, founding of treatment and research centres, philanthropic activities.
  3. Bloomberg — https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/miriam-o-adelson/
    Supports: Majority shareholder status in Las Vegas Sands and family wealth profile.
  4. The Times of Israel — https://www.timesofisrael.com/5-things-to-know-about-miriam-adelson/
    Supports: Doctoral background, philanthropic giving, Adelson Medical Research Foundation, public role.
  5. The Guardian — https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/jan/07/meet-dr-miriam-adelson-the-record-breaking-republican-donor-driving-trumps-israel-policy
    Supports: Political donor role, Israeli background, public influence.