Sumner Redstone

Sumner Redstone

Sumner Redstone
Born	Sumner Murray Rothstein (1923-05-27)May 27, 1923 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	August 11, 2020(2020-08-11) (aged 97) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Alma mater	Harvard University
Occupation	Businessman, media proprietor
Known for	Chairman of ViacomCBS
Net worth	$2.6 billion (2020)
Children	2, including Shari Redstone

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sumner Redstone passed away on August 11, 2020, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 97.

Legacy

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

• ViacomCBS
• National Amusements
• Paramount Pictures
• CBS Corporation
• Shari Redstone