Sheldon Adelson, the transnational casino magnate who is equally well known as a GOP megadonor and prominent booster of Israel, has died. He was 87.

News of his death, broken by his wife of 30+ years, Dr. Miriam Adelson, followed reports about the casino magnate who owns hotels and casinos in Las Vegas and Macau, receiving treatment for cancer. Sheldon served as chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, the publicly traded casino company he founded. 

Former President George W Bush and his wife Laura were quick to release a statement offering condolences to Adelson's surviving family.

In a lengthy statement announcing his passing, his wife recounted his many business and charitable endeavors, as well as how his efforts helped shape the course of multiple countries, including the US and Israel.