Sumner Redstone
American businessman and media magnate (1923–2020)
| Name | Sumner Redstone |
| Birth name | |
| Birth date | May
27, 1923 |
| Birth place | Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Death date | August 11, 2020 (aged 97) |
| Death place | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Harvard University |
| Occupation | Businessman, media proprietor |
| Years active | |
| Organization | |
| Known for | Chairman of ViacomCBS |
| Notable works | |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Website | |
Sumner Murray Redstone (born Sumner Murray Rothstein; May 27, 1923 – August 11, 2020) was an American businessman and media magnate. He was the majority owner and chairman of the National Amusements theater chain. Through National Amusements, Redstone and his family controlled CBS Corporation and ViacomCBS, which included Paramount Pictures, MTV, Nickelodeon, and Showtime Networks.
Early life and education[edit | edit source]
Sumner Redstone was born in Boston, Massachusetts, to Belle (née Ostrovsky) and Michael Rothstein. He attended the Boston Latin School and later graduated from Harvard College in 1944. He served in the United States Army during World War II, decoding Japanese messages. After the war, he earned a law degree from Harvard Law School.
Career[edit | edit source]
Redstone began his career as a lawyer, working for the United States Department of Justice and later in private practice. In 1954, he joined his father's drive-in theater business, National Amusements, and eventually transformed it into a global media empire.
National Amusements[edit | edit source]
Under Redstone's leadership, National Amusements expanded its operations and acquired several major media companies. In 1987, he acquired Viacom, a leading cable television operator. This acquisition was followed by the purchase of Paramount Pictures in 1994 and CBS Corporation in 1999.
Viacom and CBS[edit | edit source]
Redstone played a pivotal role in the merger of Viacom and CBS Corporation in 2000, creating one of the largest media conglomerates in the world. He served as the executive chairman of both companies until his resignation in 2016.
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Redstone was married twice and had two children, Shari Redstone and Brent Redstone. His daughter, Shari, has been actively involved in the family business and succeeded him in various leadership roles.
Death[edit | edit source]
Sumner Redstone passed away on August 11, 2020, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 97.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
Redstone's impact on the media industry was profound, with his aggressive acquisition strategy and control over major media assets shaping the landscape of modern entertainment.
Related pages[edit | edit source]
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