Conrad Nicholson Hilton Passed Away on This Day in 1979: The Legacy He Leaves Behind

On this day, January 3, in 1979, Conrad Nicholson Hilton passed away from pneumonia at St. John’s Hospital in Santa Monica, California, the New York Times reports. He was 91. This is a look back at Hilton’s life and his legacy. 

Conrad Nicholson Hilton’s Hotel Chain 

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Hilton was one of eight children of Mary and Augustus Holver Hilton from Norway. He was born in San Antonio on December 25, 1887, and grew up in New Mexico, the El Paso Times reports. 

Hilton founded the Hilton Hotels chain, a luxury hotel brand found around the world today. He had three sons with his first wife, Mary Baron; they were Conrad Nicholson Jr., or “Nicky”, William Barron, and Eric Michael. Hilton’s sons helped him run his empire, and Barron took over as president of the Hilton Hotel Corp, the El Paso Times reports. He continued to grow his father’s vision and increased the family’s net worth from millions to billions.

Hilton married three times: his first wife, Mary Baron, from 1925 to 1934; Zsa Zsa Gabor from 1942 to 1947; and his third wife, Mary Frances Kelly, from 1976 until he died in 1979.

The New Generation of Hiltons 

Barron was Hilton’s middle child, and he had eight children. He was also the grandfather of Nicky and Paris Hilton. He died of natural causes at his home in Los Angeles in September 2019. Like his father, he was also 91, People reports.

At the time of his passing, Paris shared her heartache in an Instagram post. She posted a selection of pictures of Barron, offering a glimpse into his life and the people who loved him. The pictures included photos of her as a child and as an adult. In the caption, she shared her thoughts. 

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of my grandfather Barron Hilton. He was a Legend, a visionary, brilliant, handsome, kind and lived a life full of accomplishment and adventure,” Paris wrote. “Ever since I was a little girl I have looked up to him as a businessman. I feel so grateful to have had such an incredible mentor. I always wanted to make him proud. The last conversation we had a few days ago I told him how much of an impact he had on my life. His spirit, heart and legacy will live on in me.”

The Hilton legacy continues, and Paris shared photos of herself on Instagram on January 1. Her location reveals she is at the Grand Wailea Maui, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, located in Hawaii. Her account also states that this post is a “paid partnership with Hilton.” 

“Rang in the New Year at our favorite family vacation spot @GrandWailea Aloha, 2026! “ Paris wrote in the caption. “#HiltonForTheStay #ParisForTheSlay. “

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