Page 2 - Grave Dancer News Today

Known as 'the Grave Dancer,' Zell was an unlikely media baron when he purchased the Tribune Co.

Known as 'the Grave Dancer,' Zell was an unlikely media baron when he purchased the Tribune Co.

The billionaire known as “the grave dancer” for picking up distressed assets, once owned the Tribune Co., which went into bankruptcy.

Zell amassed a net worth of $5.9 billion through real estate and investments including radio stations, drug stores, parking lots, mattresses and Schwinn bicycles.

Beginning with an apartment-managing business while at UM, Zell amassed a fortune of more than $3 billion.

Sam Zell, a Chicago real estate magnate who earned a multibillion-dollar fortune and a reputation as "the grave dancer" for his ability to revive moribund properties has died due to complications from a recent illness. He was 81.

Sam Zell, a Chicago real estate magnate who earned a multibillion-dollar fortune and a reputation as “the grave dancer” for his ability to revive moribund properties has died due to complications from a recent illness. He was 81.

Sam Zell, a Chicago real estate magnate who earned a multibillion-dollar fortune and a reputation as "the grave dancer" for his ability to revive moribund properties has died due to complications from a recent illness. He was 81.

Sam Zell died at home on Thursday due to complications from a recent illness, according to Equity Group Investments, a company he founded in 1968.

Chicago ‘Grave Dancer’ bet on distressed real estate and led ill-fated takeover of Tribune Company