Meet Miriam Adelson, the billionaire Republican Party donor who wants Donald Trump back in the White House – she’s also the main stakeholder of Las Vegas Sands and the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks

Oct 19 , 2024

Billionaire Miriam Adelson will do whatever necessary to make Donald Trump president again. Photos: Getty Image

The Israeli-American is among the richest women in the US, with a net worth of over US$32 billion – she and her late husband invested millions in Republican election campaigns

Known for her highlighted blonde hair, tinted glasses and petite frame, Miriam Adelson, 78, is one of the richest women in America. Her net worth sits at around US$32.5 billion and, together with her husband Sheldon, who died in 2021, the pair have poured millions into backing the Republican Party.

Miriam Adelson speaks during an event with Republican presidential nominee former US president Donald Trump in August. Photo: AP

The Adelsons have a history of using their wealth to buy influence: they previously managed to get Donald Trump’s administration to move the US embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

But for the 2024 US presidential election, she has played coy with her cash … until now. Meet the woman backing Trump with her millions.

How is Miriam Adelson supporting Donald Trump?

Recent reports claim that Trump allies have been scrambling to fix the relationship between Adelson and Trump after he sent “angry messages” to the mega-donor, saying the Political Action Committee (PAC) she backs was run by “Republicans in name only”.

Per CNBC, Adelson had previously agreed to drop US$100 million or “whatever it takes” to get Trump back into the White House. She and her husband had poured money into the pro-Trump super PAC, Preserve America. A super PAC can spend and raise unlimited cash to run campaigns, including TV ads, rallies and social media messages.

According to The New York Times, Adelson held onto her donation until her friend Nikki Haley – and Trump’s last Republican rival – left the Republican race. She also asked that Trump “speak more directly about the economy” and for him to be “less bombastic”.

In 2018, Adelson was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Trump. He described her as a “committed member of the American Jewish community”.