Merv Adelson's Net Worth and Legacy
Merv Adelson was an American producer and business executive, with a net worth of $500 thousand at the time of his death in 2015. Born in October 1929 in Los Angeles, California, Merv was the first cousin of Lenny and Marvin Adelson. He co-founded and served as CEO of Lorimar Television, which produced the 1977 films Twilight's Last Gleaming and The Choirboys. Additionally, Merv was the executive producer for Too Many Chefs (1978) and the TV special short The JammX Kids (2004).
In 1981, Merv married Barbara Walters, though they divorced in 1984, remarried in 1986, and finalized their second divorce in 1992. He had two children from his previous marriage to Gail Adelson.
A Career of Highs and Lows
Merv was responsible for numerous iconic TV shows, including Dallas, Knots Landing, and The Waltons. He once held a fortune of $300 million, owning a private jet and a Malibu beach house. However, he lost 99% of his wealth following the AOL-Time Warner merger collapse. In 2013, after filing for bankruptcy, Merv faced legal issues with his third wife over unpaid child support.
Other Ventures and Personal Life
Apart from his television success, Merv was also a founding partner and Chairman of EastWest VentureGroup. Throughout his life, he received multiple awards for his charitable and humanitarian contributions. In his later years, Merv sued Penthouse magazine for libel.
Merv Adelson passed away from cancer on September 8, 2015, at the age of 85, leaving behind a legacy in the television production industry and philanthropy.
