Reflections on the Extraordinary Life of Sheldon Adelson | Opinion Matt Brooks , Executive director, Republican Jewish Coalition On 1/15/21 at 5:30 AM EST Horatio Alger wrote rags-to-riches stories in the 1800s about poor boys who became wealthy through pluck, luck and good deeds. Sheldon Adelson did him one better, actually living a rags-to-riches story rooted in hard work, vision, courage—and good deeds. With Sheldon's passing, we have lost not only a remarkably successful business leader and an extraordinary philanthropist, but someone I was privileged to call a dear mentor and friend. It is well known that Sheldon came from humble beginnings, as the child of immigrants living in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood. More than 80 years later, he still viewed the world through the eyes of a poor kid from Dorchester. As one of the richest men in America, he could afford the finest wines and any luxury foods he desired. But those who knew him knew that the best time to meet with Sheldon was on Friday over lunch in his office, because that was his favorite day, when his staff would bring him hot dogs and sliders for lunch and he was sure to be in a good mood. He never lost his enjoyment for those kinds of simple things.