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John Hearst JrAmerican businessman
Date of Birth: 08.12.1933
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of John Randolph Hearst Jr.
- Early Life and Career
- Personal Life and Controversy
- Later Life and Legacy
Biography of John Randolph Hearst Jr.
John Randolph Hearst Jr. was born in 1933 in New York City, into a highly influential family. He was the grandson of media mogul William Randolph Hearst, and his parents were the son of the magnate, John Randolph Hearst, and Gretchen Wilson.
Early Life and Career
Hearst Jr. spent his youth in Hearst Castle, where he earned the nickname "Bunky" among family and friends. He spent the majority of his career in the company founded by his grandfather, The Hearst Corporation. He also served as the head of the family trust fund, The Hearst Family Trust, and the director of the charitable organization, Hearst Foundations.
In the 1950s, Hearst Jr. worked as a photojournalist for The New York Daily Mirror, a publication owned by Hearst Corp. He also held the position of editor for another syndicate publication, Motor Boating & Sailing.
Personal Life and Controversy
In 1989, Hearst Jr. suffered a stroke but made a successful recovery. He then married Barbara Hearst, who was 50 years old at the time. The couple divorced in 2004, leading to a scandalous court battle that attracted international attention. The divorce proceedings were dubbed the "most disgusting divorce of the year" by the American press.
During the divorce, Barbara, who tried to increase her annual alimony from $26,000 to $90,000, only received $20,000. The public perception of Barbara was negatively affected as it was revealed that she had been recklessly spending money from the family and trust funds. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Hearst Jr.
Later Life and Legacy
John Randolph Hearst Jr. passed away in New York City on November 4, 2011, at the age of 77. Frank A. Bennack Jr., the CEO of Hearst Corp., said, "John was always deeply committed to the company founded by his grandfather. Those who worked with him will remember his immense intellect and his interest in everything the company and foundations were involved in. We will all greatly miss Bunky."
