Sam Zell, Billionaire Real Estate Investor, Dies at 81

Sam Zell, Billionaire Real Estate Investor, Dies at 81
Sam Zell, chairman of Equity Group Investments, and chairman of Equity International, smiles during an interview by Neil Cavuto, on the Fox Business Network in New York on Aug. 6, 2013. Richard Drew/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:

Sam Zell, a Chicago real estate magnate who earned a multibillion-dollar fortune and a reputation as “the grave dancer” for his ability to revive moribund properties died on Thursday. He was 81.

Zell died at home due to complications from a recent illness, according to Equity Group Investments, a company he founded in 1968.