Conrad Hilton Jr.

Conrad Nicholson "Nicky" Hilton Jr. (July 6, 1926 – February 5, 1969) was an American socialite, hotel heir, and businessman. He was the eldest son of Hilton Hotels founder Conrad Hilton.

Life and career

Conrad Nicholson Hilton Jr. was born in Dallas, Texas. His parents were Conrad Hilton, the founder of Hilton Hotels, and Mary Adelaide Barron. Hilton had three younger siblings: Barron, Eric, and Francesca. He was a grand-uncle of Paris Hilton and Nicky Hilton.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Growing up, he did an take interest in the family business and he dropped out of Loyola University in Los Angeles to join the Navy.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> His father enrolled him at École hôtelière de Lausanne in Lausanne, Switzerland, but he was suspended after six months.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In 1951, Hilton became the vice president of the Hilton Corporation and manager of the Bel Air Hotel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

In May 1954, Hilton was arrested on drinking in public and received two years of probation.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In his later years, Hilton was a director and chairman of the executive committee of the Hilton International Company.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref>

Hilton died at the age of 42 from a sudden heart attack most likely due to alcoholism on February 5, 1969.<ref name=":0" /> His funeral was held at St. Paul's Church in Los Angeles.<ref name=":0" /> He is interred in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.<ref>The Hiltons</ref>

Marriages and relationships

Hilton dated various Hollywood starlets and gained a reputation for being a playboy.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In October 1949, Hilton met Elizabeth Taylor at the Mocambo nightclub in Los Angeles.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref> The couple were married in a highly publicized ceremony at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills on May 6, 1950.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> They had a tempestuous eight-month marriage due to his gambling, drinking, heroin addiction, and abusive behavior.<ref name=":2" /><ref name="woo20110323">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Gussow2">Template:Cite news</ref> During one of his violent outbursts, Hilton kicked Taylor in the stomach and caused her to have a miscarriage.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Taylor announced their separation in December 1950;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> she was granted a divorce on grounds of mental cruelty on January 29, 1951.<ref name=":1" />

In September 1951, actress Betsy von Furstenberg announced her engagement to Hilton.<ref>Template:Cite news Template:Open access</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> The couple planned to marry the following spring,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> but were never married.

In the 1950s, Hilton dated actresses Terry Moore, Mamie Van Doren, Arlene Solof, and Jeanne Carmen.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1957, he dated actresses Natalie Wood and Joan Collins at the same time.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Shortly after, he dated Mexican actress Silvia Pinal, whom he met at the opening of a hotel in Acapulco.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1958, Hilton married Patricia McClintock, an oil heiress from Oklahoma. They had two sons, Conrad Nicholson Hilton III and Michael Otis Hilton.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Their marriage deteriorated as Hilton became addicted to the sleeping pill Seconal and mixed it with hard liquor.<ref name=":2" /> McClintock sued for divorce on February 10, 1964.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> She charged Hilton with "causing her extreme mental and physical suffering" but they later reconciled.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 1967, McClintock filed for divorce again, accusing Hilton of "repeated acts and threats of violence."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The divorce was never granted, but Hilton and McClintock were separated at the time of Hilton's death.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Further reading

• new york Times, Historical Collection