Sam Zell was a global, industry-agnostic entrepreneur and investor. He had a long track record
of turning around troubled companies and assets, leading industry consolidations, and bringing
companies to the public markets. His investments included logistics, healthcare, manufacturing,
energy, and real estate.



Sam was the Chairman of Equity Group Investments, the private investment firm he founded
more than 50 years ago. He also chaired five companies listed on the New York Stock
Exchange: Equity Residential, an apartment REIT; Equity LifeStyle Properties, a manufactured
home community and resort REIT; Equity Commonwealth, an office REIT; Covanta Holding
Corporation, an international owner/operator of energy-from-waste and power generation
facilities; and Equity Distribution Acquisition Corp, a special purpose acquisition company
(SPAC) targeting opportunities to apply technological advancement within the industrial industry.

Sam had also founded and chaired Equity Office Properties Trust, the largest office REIT until
its 2007 sale for $39 billion in the largest leveraged buyout at the time. In addition, he had
introduced the first Brazilian and Mexican real estate companies, respectively, to the New York
Stock Exchange through Equity International, a second private investment firm he founded to
focus on real estate-related businesses in emerging markets.

Sam was an active philanthropist with a focus on entrepreneurial education. Through the Zell
Family Foundation, he had led the sponsorship of several leading entrepreneurship programs,
including: the Zell/Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at University of Michigan’s Ross
School of Business; the Zell Fellows Program at Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of
Management; and the Zell Entrepreneurship Program at Reichman University. The Zell Global
Entrepreneur Network (ZGEN) unites the students and alumni of these programs and actively
provides them with connections, opportunities, mentorship, and support. Sam also sponsored
the Samuel Zell/Robert Lurie Real Estate Center at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Real
Estate Center. He held a JD degree and a BA from the University of Michigan.
Sam was recognized in 2017 by Forbes as one of the 100 Greatest Living Business Minds. That
same year, Sam debuted his book, Am I Being Too Subtle? (Penguin RandomHouse), in which
he shared the fundamentals and philosophies that made him a self-made billionaire.

The Zell community mourns the loss of Sam Zell, a visionary leader whose passing marks a
profound loss for entrepreneurial communities everywhere. His dedication and leadership have
left an indelible impact, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of
entrepreneurs.