About our founder

Born to humble roots in New Mexico, Conrad N. Hilton became an international business pioneer and ambassador of goodwill. He left his fortune to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation with a mandate to relieve the suffering of the distressed and destitute without regard to race, religion, or country.

Conrad N. Hilton (1887-1979)

Guided by the example of his German-American mother and Norwegian immigrant father, Conrad Hilton's life was grounded in a deep faith in God and country, an intrinsic belief in hard work, and the ability to "dream big." He was also profoundly influenced by the Catholic Church and its Sisters.

International hotel magnate

Known for his optimism, honesty, and unfailing sense of fairness, Conrad Hilton went on to create the largest and most profitable international hotel empire of his era. He purchased his first hotel in Cisco, Texas, in 1919. Thirty years later his acquisition of the famed Waldorf Astoria hotel in New York City made national headlines. When Hilton Hotels Corporation acquired control of Statler Hotels in 1954, the real estate transaction was the largest the world had known to date.

Goodwill ambassador and lifelong humanitarian

In addition to his reputation as a leading hotelier, Conrad Hilton was a fervent patriot, international statesman, and ambassador of goodwill. He hosted the first Congressional Prayer Breakfast in 1953 with President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He spoke often about world peace and vigorously advocated international cooperation and progress in developing countries.

Conrad Hilton believed in the power of travel to foster understanding among peoples of the world. He embraced this philosophy in the Hilton corporate motto, "World Peace Through International Trade and Travel."

His concern for the disadvantaged was genuine and deep, and he expressed it by donating and helping to raise significant funds to advance key causes. Catholic Sisters were frequently a conduit for his philanthropy in the United States and overseas. He left essentially his entire estate to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to alleviate human suffering throughout the world, establishing a perpetual legacy of global humanitarianism.

Hilton leadership continues

Today the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation is guided by the intentions expressed in our founder's last will. Our board of directors and our staff include Hilton family members, and the Foundation continues to operate as a family philanthropy, deeply influenced by the principles cherished by Conrad Hilton. Barron Hilton, son of Conrad, serves as Chairman of the Foundation board and Steven Hilton, grandson of Conrad, serves as President and CEO.