Kemmons Wilson - Businessman, Timeline and Facts
Kemmons Wilson's Personal Details
Charles Kemmons Wilson was a celebrated businessman, known for having established the ‘Holiday Inn’ chain of quality hotels
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | January 5, 1913 |
| Died on | February 12, 2003 |
| Nationality | American |
| Famous | Poorly Educated, School Dropouts, Business People, Businessman |
| Known as | Kemmons Wilson, Sr, Charles Kemmons Wilson |
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Osceola |
| Gender | Male |
| Sun Sign | Capricorn |
| Born in | Osceola |
| Famous as | Businessman |
| Died at Age | 90 |
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Kemmons Wilson's photo
Who is Kemmons Wilson?
The life of Charles Kemmons Wilson, the founder of the 'Holiday Inn' chain of hotels, is the perfect example of a rags-to-riches story. Having lost his father at a very young age, this boy took up the responsibility of earning a living, and helping out his single mother in every way possible. Before the establishment of 'Holiday Inn', this young man sold almost everything under the sun. His main income, however, came from selling ice cream, cigars and popcorn. The shrewd salesman saved the profits and started acquiring movie theatres in many cities. Soon, he was motivated to build hotels, after a harrowing experience at dirty yet expensive roadside motel. This provoked Charles to bring about an immediate change in the accommodation choices available to travellers, and thus paved way for the birth of 'Holiday Inn'. The 'Holiday Inn' hotels were known for their clean rooms, standard rates, and accessible to people on-the-go, making them suitable for families. Kemmons soon became famous, with his hotels gaining popularity not just in the United States but also elsewhere in the world. The business flourished for almost thirty-eight years, before Wilson sold it to 'Bass PLC', a UK –based company that rechristened the hotels to ‘Holiday Inn Worldwide’. Read on to know more about his life and works
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Childhood & Early Life
Charles Kemmons Wilson was born to insurance executive, Kemmons and his wife, Ruby Hall, on January 5, 1913. When the lad was only nine months old, his father passed away and Ruby had to take full responsibility of her child, bringing him up in Memphis, Tennessee.
Career
Wilson did his best to contribute to his family income, by selling popcorn, magazines, grocery and various other means. He studied at the 'Central High School', but quit when his mother became unemployed, owing to the infamous global economic crisis, known as the 'Great Depression'.
To support his mother, Charles began his career as a businessman and managed an ice cream shop, a cigar store, as well as a sandwich stall. Soon, he saved enough money to buy the 'DeSoto Theatre', a movie hall in Memphis that had run out of business earlier. He eventually owned eleven theatres across different cities, some of these were built by this businessman himself.
In 1951, on a family vacation to Washington D.C., Wilson was quite disappointed with the accommodation he was provided. This gave him the idea of starting a new business of running motels, for which he joined hands with Wallace E. Johnson as and Eddie Bluestein, who helped him in the investment and architecture aspects respectively.
The first of the 'Holiday Inn' chain of motels, located on Summer Avenue, enroute to Memphis, was inaugurated in 1952. He did not leave any stone unturned and built more motels, with his numbers reaching up to 100 within the next seven years.
The hotels had certain characteristics, with the quality, cleanliness, and accessibility being top priority. Also, the partners, Wallace and Wilson were particular about keeping a Bible in each room.
By 1964, the number of hotels owned by this business magnate grew to 500, and 'Holiday Inns' began giving other expensive accommodations a run for their money, in terms of standard and comfort.
Kemmons launched the 100th outlet of 'Holiday Inn' in the year 1968, at San Antonio, Texas. The same year, the first international hotel belonging to the chain was opened at Leiden, Holland, in Europe. Around the same time, he purchased the 'Continental Trailways', and used its bus transport services for his hotels.
'Holiday Inn' became successful on a global level, and by 1972, there were more than 1400 hotels belonging to the chain. Some hotels were also converted to resorts by installing 'Holidome' indoor swimming pools.
In July, 1974, this renowned businessman went ahead and purchased the 'Memphis Tams', a team belonging to the 'American Basketball Association'. His financial associates for this venture were distinguished personalities like Al wilson, Isaac Hayes, and Mike Storen.
The team, with the new name, 'Memphis Sounds', was successful under the wings of the new owners, performing highly well in the 'ABA Playoffs' of 1975. The following year, however, the team was bought over by a Baltimore-based group of entrepreneurs.
In 1979, 'Continental Trailways' ceased to be in Wilson's hands, since the company was sold to Henry Lea Hillman Sr., a businessman from Pittsburgh. The same year, the owner of 'Holiday Inn' stepped down from the management, following his decision to retire from work.
The chain of hotels remained in the hands of Kemmons till the year 1990, when it was bought by the British company 'Bass PLC' and renamed as 'Holiday Inn Worldwide'
In 1996, this accomplished entrepreneur spoke about his rags-to-riches story, focusing on the inception of 'Holiday Inn', in his autobiography titled 'Half Luck and Half Brains'.
Major Works
Wilson is known as the founder of the 'Holiday Inn', a hotel chain known for being family-friendly with a strong emphasis on quality and service. The chain of hotels became the first ever to generate revenue of $1 billion dollars in the year 1972, with more than 1400 branches across the world.
Awards & Achievements
In 1982, Wilson became a member of the prestigious 'U.S. Business Hall of Fame', established by the NGO 'Junior Achievement'.
Personal Life & Legacy
Around 1941-42, Charles got married to his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy Lee, and the two were blessed with three sons, Spence, Kemmons Jr., Robert, as well as two daughters, Carole and Betty. Dorothy passed away after 59 years of a happy marriage, leaving behind her children and husband.
Wilson died at the age of 90, at his Memphis home on February 12, 2003. The great entrepreneur was buried at a cemetery in Forest Hill.
In order to recognize this brilliant entrepreneur's contribution to the field of business, the 'University of Memphis' named one of its institutes as 'Kemmons Wilson School of Hospitality and Resort Management'.
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Kemmons Wilson biography timelines
- // 5th Jan 1913Charles Kemmons Wilson was born to insurance executive, Kemmons and his wife, Ruby Hall, on January 5, 1913. When the lad was only nine months old, his father passed away and Ruby had to take full responsibility of her child, bringing him up in Memphis, Tennessee.
- // 1941 To 1942Around 1941-42, Charles got married to his childhood sweetheart, Dorothy Lee, and the two were blessed with three sons, Spence, Kemmons Jr., Robert, as well as two daughters, Carole and Betty. Dorothy passed away after 59 years of a happy marriage, leaving behind her children and husband.
- // 1951In 1951, on a family vacation to Washington D.C., Wilson was quite disappointed with the accommodation he was provided. This gave him the idea of starting a new business of running motels, for which he joined hands with Wallace E. Johnson as and Eddie Bluestein, who helped him in the investment and architecture aspects respectively.
- // 1952The first of the 'Holiday Inn' chain of motels, located on Summer Avenue, enroute to Memphis, was inaugurated in 1952. He did not leave any stone unturned and built more motels, with his numbers reaching up to 100 within the next seven years.
- // 1964By 1964, the number of hotels owned by this business magnate grew to 500, and 'Holiday Inns' began giving other expensive accommodations a run for their money, in terms of standard and comfort.
- // 1968Kemmons launched the 100th outlet of 'Holiday Inn' in the year 1968, at San Antonio, Texas. The same year, the first international hotel belonging to the chain was opened at Leiden, Holland, in Europe. Around the same time, he purchased the 'Continental Trailways', and used its bus transport services for his hotels.
- // 1972 To 1972'Holiday Inn' became successful on a global level, and by 1972, there were more than 1400 hotels belonging to the chain. Some hotels were also converted to resorts by installing 'Holidome' indoor swimming pools.
- // 1972 To 1972Wilson is known as the founder of the 'Holiday Inn', a hotel chain known for being family-friendly with a strong emphasis on quality and service. The chain of hotels became the first ever to generate revenue of $1 billion dollars in the year 1972, with more than 1400 branches across the world.
- // 1974In July, 1974, this renowned businessman went ahead and purchased the 'Memphis Tams', a team belonging to the 'American Basketball Association'. His financial associates for this venture were distinguished personalities like Al wilson, Isaac Hayes, and Mike Storen.
- // 1975The team, with the new name, 'Memphis Sounds', was successful under the wings of the new owners, performing highly well in the 'ABA Playoffs' of 1975. The following year, however, the team was bought over by a Baltimore-based group of entrepreneurs.
- // 1979In 1979, 'Continental Trailways' ceased to be in Wilson's hands, since the company was sold to Henry Lea Hillman Sr., a businessman from Pittsburgh. The same year, the owner of 'Holiday Inn' stepped down from the management, following his decision to retire from work.
- // 1982In 1982, Wilson became a member of the prestigious 'U.S. Business Hall of Fame', established by the NGO 'Junior Achievement'.
- // 1990The chain of hotels remained in the hands of Kemmons till the year 1990, when it was bought by the British company 'Bass PLC' and renamed as 'Holiday Inn Worldwide'
- // 1996In 1996, this accomplished entrepreneur spoke about his rags-to-riches story, focusing on the inception of 'Holiday Inn', in his autobiography titled 'Half Luck and Half Brains'.
- // 12th Feb 2003Wilson died at the age of 90, at his Memphis home on February 12, 2003. The great entrepreneur was buried at a cemetery in Forest Hill.
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Kemmons Wilson's FAQ
What is Kemmons Wilson birthday?
Kemmons Wilson was born at 1913-01-05
When was Kemmons Wilson died?
Kemmons Wilson was died at 2003-02-12
Where was Kemmons Wilson died?
Kemmons Wilson was died in Memphis
Which age was Kemmons Wilson died?
Kemmons Wilson was died at age 90
Where is Kemmons Wilson's birth place?
Kemmons Wilson was born in Osceola
What is Kemmons Wilson nationalities?
Kemmons Wilson's nationalities is American
Which company or organization was founded by Kemmons Wilson?
Kemmons Wilson was the founder/co-founder of Holiday Inn
What is Kemmons Wilson's sun sign?
Kemmons Wilson is Capricorn
How famous is Kemmons Wilson?
Kemmons Wilson is famouse as Businessman