Top 10 Interesting Facts about Sol Kerzner

Solomon (Sol) Kerzner, K.C.M.G. (born 23 August 1935), author.

Top 10 Interesting Facts about Sol Kerzner

Solomon Kerzner was born on the 21^st of March.  He was born from a family that was in the hotel industry. This is what drove him to pick up the same culture in business. He took up BCom (Hons) in Accounting and became a Chartered Accountant. He later took up his family business and was in charge of the day to day running of the chain of hotels.

He founded the first five-star hotel in South Africa. Other than that he also founded the largest hotel groups in South Africa, the Southern Sun hotel Group and the Sun international.

His impact in the tourism industry has not only been nationally. He has made investments at international levels. He purchased the Paradise resort in the Bahamas while it was going bankrupt.

He also established the One&Only Resort which went on to operate in Mexico, the Bahamas, South Africa, Maldives, Dubai, Mauritius and Hayman Island.

1.Kerzner built South Africa`s first five-star hotel

Kerzner`s interest in matters business and accounting is depicted in his choice of career.  He took up BCom(Hons) in Accounting at the University of Witwatersrand Johannesburg. He later on qualified as a Chartered Accountant.

He first began his investment journey by purchasing the Astra Hotel in Durban. After the immense success of the hotel, he built the first five star hotel in South Arica. He officially opens the resort in December 1964 and named it Beverly Hills Hotel.

Following the thriving success of the Beverly Hills, Kerzner built the 450-room Elangeni Hotel. This was made possible due to the combined efforts between him and South African Breweries.

2.In 1979, Kerzner developed the Sun City which is regarded as the most ambitious resort in Africa

Sun City Casino, Sun City, South Africa. Photo by South African Tourism . Wikimedia commons

In 1979 Kerzner developed Sun City, the most ambitious resort project in Africa. The Sun City (South Africa) is a luxurious resort and casino located in the North West Province of South Africa.

The resort was developed by Sol as part of his Sun International group of properties. In about ten years he had built a man-made lake, two Gary Player, four hotels and entertainment. Sun city became popular because of its location.

The resort is relatively close to the metropolitan area of Pretoria and Johannesburg. It soon became a popular holiday spot and weekend destination for tourists.

3.Kerzner was requested by Nelson Mandela to arrange the VIP function for the presidential inauguration

Following the first multiracial elections in South Africa, Kerzner was asked by incoming President Nelson Mandela to arrange the VIP function at the Presidential Inauguration. The event was to be attended by leaders from all over the world.  

These arrangements were made after Nelson Mandela a South African anti-apartheid activist won the elections. The event was a special occasion and one that cemented the close relationship between him and Nelson Mandela.

4.Other than the Sun City Hotel Kerzner opened a hugely successful casino, Mohegan Sun

Photo by Ben Lambert on Unsplash

The Sun City Hotel was just the beginning of his business career. In 1996, Kerzner opened the hugely successful Mohegan Sun. The casino was located in Uncasville, U.S.A.

The location of the Casino is in the foothill of the Southern Connecticut, where 60% of the State`s tourism is concentrated. The casino contains slot machines, gaming tables, blackjack, craps, keno and roulette. The resort was first opened on the 12^th of October 1996.

5.At just 26, Kerzner believed that there was an opportunity for hospitality offering far what was available in South Africa

Kerzner`s career in hospitality began in 1962, when he purchased the Astria, a small inn in Durban. This was just the beginning as his breakthrough project was the five-star hotel, Beverly Hills.

The hotel is built on deserted stretch of coastline North of Durban. His success had defied all odds as he was became a prominent hotelier in South Africa. He did not stop there, he has built hotels both nationally and internationally.

In the International sphere, he has been behind the development of the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas. In 2002, Kerzner launched One&Only Resorts which currently operates eight properties in The Bahamas, Mexico, Mauritius, The Maldives, South Africa, Dubai and Hayman Island.

His success can be depicted in the numerous investments he has made in the hospitality sector, both nationally and internationally.

6.Sol Kerzner was married four times

Photo by Photos by Lanty on Unsplash

Kerzner was married four times. His first wife was Maureen Adler and together they had three children. The three children were named, Butch, Andrea Kerzner and Beverly Kerzner.

His second wife was known as Shirley Bestbier, with whom they had two children, Brandon Kerzner and Chantal Kerzner. Anneline Kriel followed as the third wife. Their marriage ended in a divorce after five years of marriage.

He however got engaged to a model named Christina Estrada, but never married her.  He married his fourth wife, Heather Murphy in 2000 and they divorced in 2011.

7.In 2010, Kerzner passion was recognized in the Queen`s Birthday Honors list

Kerzner was fortunate enough to be recognized in the Queen`s Birthday Honors list in the year 2010. He was honored with the award of the insignia Knight Commander of the Most Distinguishing Order of St. Michael and St. George.

The honor and award was from his prominence in the hospitality sector. He was regarded as a prominent and ambitious entrepreneur. He had investment both locally and internationally. Krezner`s impact on the international resort industry is one that is almost difficult to match.

8. Sol Kerzner`s net worth by 2020

Sol Kerzner is a South African business man and accountant who had a net worth of $600 Million by the time of his death in 2020. His net worth grew over the years due to the immense success of his hospitality business both nationally and internationally.

He is the founder of one of the first five-star hotels in South Africa. His role in the hospitality industry has been a real game changer to the tourism industry in the state. He was even made the knight Commander of the most Distinguishing Order of St. Michael and St. George.

9.Sol Kerzner came from a family that was already in the hotel industry

Photo by Brett Jordan on Unsplash

Sol Kerzner was born on the 23th of August in 1935 in Durban, South Arica. His parents were in the hotel industry. They owned a chain of hotels, Kosher.

This is an indication that he came from family that was already in the hotel industry. He took up the BCom (Hons) in Accounting. He later became a Chartered Accountant. Following his qualifications he took up the day-to-day running of the family business.

10.Sol Kerzner passed away at the age of 84

Photo by Rhodi Lopez on Unsplash

Sol Kerzner died on the 21^st of March 2020. He was at the age of 84, when he passed away in the presence of his loved ones. He died of Cancer at his home in Cape Town. He was later buried in a small, private funeral with his immediate family members only.

Sol Kerzner has made a great influence in the hospitality industry. He made investments both locally and internationally. In South Africa he founded the first five-star hotel and the two largest hotel groups.