Age, Biography and Wiki

Ralph Engelstad (Ralph Louis Engelstad) was born on 28 January, 1930 in Thief River Falls, Minnesota, US, is an American businessman (1930–2002). Discover Ralph Engelstad's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 72 years old?

Popular As Ralph Louis Engelstad
Occupation N/A
Age 72 years old
Zodiac Sign Aquarius
Born 28 January 1930
Birthday 28 January
Birthplace Thief River Falls, Minnesota, US
Date of death 26 November, 2002
Died Place Las Vegas, Nevada, US
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 28 January. He is a member of famous businessman with the age 72 years old group.

Ralph Engelstad Height, Weight & Measurements

At 72 years old, Ralph Engelstad height not available right now. We will update Ralph Engelstad's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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Ralph Engelstad Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Ralph Engelstad worth at the age of 72 years old? Ralph Engelstad’s income source is mostly from being a successful businessman. He is from United States. We have estimated Ralph Engelstad's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income businessman

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Timeline

1930

Ralph Louis Engelstad (January 28, 1930 – November 26, 2002) was an American businessman who owned the Imperial Palace casino-hotels in Las Vegas and in Biloxi, Mississippi.

He also owned the Kona Kai motel in Las Vegas, which later became the Klondike Hotel and Casino.

He was also the donor for the construction of the $104 million Ralph Engelstad Arena for his alma mater, the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and another arena bearing his name in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

Engelstad was also a co-developer of the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Engelstad was one of the very few independent casino-hotel owners in Las Vegas.

Engelstad was born on January 28, 1930, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota.

He was one of five children born to Christian and Madeline (Thill) Engelstad.

His grandfather, Peder was a Norwegian immigrant from Vang, Hedmark.

During high school, Engelstad worked a summer job at AGSCO farm supply company, where his father was a salesman.

It was usually long and hard work, taking place on farms and requiring the workers to assemble steel buildings from morning to night.

1950

In the 1950s, Engelstad founded his own construction company: Engelstad Construction.

Engelstad became a millionaire at the age of twenty-nine, fulfilling his hope to become a millionaire by the age of thirty.

1954

In 1954, he graduated from the University of North Dakota (UND) with a degree in Business.

While at UND, Engelstad also played goalie for the school hockey team and even received a tryout with the Chicago Blackhawks.

After graduation, he went on to marry Betty Stocker of East Grand Forks.

The two went on to have a daughter, Kris.

1959

In 1959, he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada, where his construction company had secured government contracts to build FHA homes.

1965

In 1965, he purchased the Thunderbird Field airport and later acquired vacant land nearby.

1967

In 1967, he sold 145 acres, including the airport, to billionaire Howard Hughes for $2 million.

Engelstad used the money to purchase the Kona Kai motel on the Las Vegas Strip.

1971

In 1971, he purchased the Flamingo Capri Motel, also on the Las Vegas Strip.

1972

He added a casino in 1972, and later renamed the property to the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino in 1979.

1975

He sold the motel in 1975 for $1.2 million, and it would later become the Klondike Hotel and Casino.

1986

On April 20 in 1986 and 1988, he hosted parties to celebrate Adolf Hitler's birthday at his casino in Las Vegas that featured bartenders in T-shirts reading "Adolf Hitler — European tour 1939-45".

1989

By 1989, he was worth an estimated $300 million.

Because of this, in 1989, the Nevada Gaming Commission fined Engelstad $1.5 million "for actions that damaged the reputation and image of Nevada's gaming industry."

Engelstad apologized publicly for the parties, saying they were "stupid, insensitive and held in bad taste", but the row was not to be his last controversial move.

1996

In 1996, Engelstad joined with Bill Bennett (owner of the Sahara Hotel and Casino) to build the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, which they later sold to Speedway Motorsports in 1998.

1997

In 1997, he opened a second Imperial Palace resort in Biloxi, Mississippi.

2002

The Engelstad Foundation was created in 2002 by Ralph and Betty Engelstad.

Since its inception, the foundation has provided more than $300 million in grants to organizations focused on animal compassion, at-risk individuals, education, historical preservation, medical research and support, people with disabilities and veterans.

Notable donations to organizations span Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, North Dakota, and Utah.

In 2002, Engelstad was inducted into the North Dakota Entrepreneur Hall of Fame for his contributions to the construction, casino and entertainment industries.

Engelstad was a controversial figure.

He raised accusations of being sympathetic to Nazism owing to his collection of Nazi memorabilia stored in a private room, which he referred to as his "war room", within his Imperial Palace hotel-casino.

After discovery of the memorabilia, Engelstad agreed to sell it rather than put it on display.

In an apology letter to the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, Engelstad said "I now feel I have done what I can and apologized for what I cannot do".

In addition to the memorabilia he stored on display in his "war room", a printing plate was found within his hotel that was used to make bumper stickers that read "Hitler Was Right".

2019

As of 2019, the Engelstad Foundation is run by trustees Betty Engelstad, Kris Engelstad McGarry and Jeffrey M. Cooper.

Ralph Engelstad was honored with multiple awards throughout his life, including "National Employer of the Year" from the President's Committee on the Employment of People with Disabilities; "Employer of the Year" from the Southwest Business, Industry and Rehabilitation Association; and "Humanitarian of the Year Award" from the International Gaming & Business Exposition.