Conrad Hilton Siblings: Get To Know What Killed The Founder Of The Hilton Hotel Chain

Conrad Hilton Siblings: Conrad Hilton’s Family Legacy.!!!

Conrad Hilton is a name that is synonymous with the hotel industry.

He was the founder of the Hilton Hotels chain, which is one of the largest and most successful in the world.

He was also a visionary businessman, a philanthropist, and a political figure. But did you know that he also had siblings?

In this blog post, I will tell you more about Conrad Hilton’s siblings, who they were, what they did, and how they influenced him.

Conrad Hilton was born on December 25, 1887, in San Antonio, New Mexico, to Augustus Halvorsen Hilton and Mary Genevieve Laufersweiler.

He was the second of eight children, and the eldest son.

His siblings were:

Conrad and his siblings grew up in a close-knit family, with strong values of hard work, faith, and charity.

They also developed entrepreneurial skills, working at their father’s general store and hotel.

Conrad was especially close to his sisters, who supported him throughout his life and career.

Siblings’ Names and Background

Let’s take a closer look at each of Conrad Hilton’s siblings, and learn more about their background, profession, and achievements.

Felice Augusta Hilton

Felice was the eldest of the Hilton siblings, and the only one who was born in Norway, where her father came from.

She moved to the United States with her parents when she was a baby, and grew up in New Mexico.

Notably, she married William Brown, a rancher, and had four children. She was a devoted wife and mother, and also helped her husband with the ranch.

Additionally, she was also active in the community, and supported various charitable causes. She died in 1968, at the age of 83.

Eva C. Hilton

Eva was the third of the Hilton siblings, and the second daughter. She was born in New Mexico, and grew up in a Catholic household.

It’s worth to note that she married Joseph D. Rippeteau, a lawyer, and had three children. She was a loving wife and mother, and also a successful businesswoman.

Furthermore, she owned and operated several hotels, including the Hilton Inn in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

She was also involved in civic and social affairs, and served as the president of the New Mexico Federation of Women’s Clubs.

She died in 1979, at the age of 90.

Carl H. Hilton

Carl was the fourth of the Hilton siblings, and the second son. He was born in New Mexico, and followed his brother Conrad into the hotel business.

Notably, he graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in hotel and restaurant management, and joined the Hilton Hotels Corporation in 1919.

He became the vice president and general manager of the company, and oversaw the expansion and operation of the hotels in the western region.

Moreover, he was also a pioneer in the aviation industry, and established the Hilton Flying Service, which provided air transportation for the hotel guests and staff.

He died in 1957, at the age of 65.

Rosemary J. Hilton

Rosemary was the fifth of the Hilton siblings, and the third daughter. She was born in New Mexico, and was a talented musician and singer.

She studied music at the University of New Mexico, and performed in various concerts and events. Notably, she married Joseph B. Morrow, a banker, and had two children.

Rosemary was a caring wife and mother, and also a generous philanthropist. She donated to many causes, such as education, health, and arts. She died in 1995, at the age of 97.

August H. Hilton

August was the sixth of the Hilton siblings, and the third son. He was born in New Mexico, and also joined the hotel business with his brothers.

He graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a degree in business administration, and worked for the Hilton Hotels Corporation in various positions.

August was also a skilled pilot, and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He married Mary Barron, a socialite, and had three children. He died in 1996, at the age of 95.

Helen A. Hilton

Helen was the seventh of the Hilton siblings, and the fourth daughter. She was born in New Mexico, and was a bright and cheerful person.

She married John Patrick Manning, a doctor, and had four children. Additionally, she was a loving wife and mother, and also a dedicated volunteer.

Helen served on the boards of several organizations, such as the American Red Cross, the Salvation Army, and the Girl Scouts.

She died in 2004, at the age of 101.

Julian Hilton

Julian was the eighth and youngest of the Hilton siblings, and the fourth son. He was born in New Mexico, and was a smart and adventurous person.

He graduated from the University of New Mexico with a degree in engineering, and worked for the U.S. Geological Survey. Julian also served in the U.S.

Navy during World War II. He married Mary Alice Estill, a journalist, and had two children.

Additionally he was an avid traveler, and visited many countries around the world. He died in 2005, at the age of 98.

Early Life and Family Dynamics

Conrad and his siblings experienced a joyful and comfortable upbringing, courtesy of their hardworking and successful parents.

Their father, Augustus, originally from Norway, flourished as a merchant and hotelier, while their mother, Mary, a German-American, embraced Catholicism and devoted herself to homemaking.

Residing in San Antonio, New Mexico, the family managed a general store and a hotel.

Raised with a strong sense of duty, discipline, and faith, Conrad and his siblings actively contributed to the family business, learning the importance of money management and service.

They balanced their responsibilities with regular attendance at school and church, engaging in various activities like games, reading, horseback riding, and singing.

Their explorations extended beyond their home, as they frequently traveled to visit relatives and friends across states and countries.

The siblings fostered a close and supportive bond among themselves and with their parents, sharing both joys and sorrows while offering mutual aid.

They held deep respect and admiration for their parents, inheriting traits like business acumen, generosity, courage, and charisma.

Personal Lives

Conrad and his siblings had diverse and interesting personal lives, with their own families and relationships.

Here are some highlights of their personal lives:

Conrad

Conrad married three times, and had four children. His first wife was Mary Adelaide Barron, a socialite, whom he married in 1925 and divorced in 1934.

Notably, his second wife was Zsa Zsa Gabor, an actress, whom he married in 1942 and divorced in 1947.

His third wife was Mary Frances Kelly, a secretary, whom he married in 1976 and remained married until his death in 1979.

His children were Conrad Nicholson Hilton Jr., William Barron Hilton, Eric Michael Hilton, and Constance Francesca Hilton.

Felice

Felice married once, and had four children.

Her husband was William Brown, a rancher, whom she married in 1908 and remained married until his death in 1961.

Her children were William Brown Jr., Mary Genevieve Brown, Joseph Brown, and Helen Brown.

Eva

Eva married once, and had three children. Her husband was Joseph D. Rippeteau, a lawyer, whom she married in 1913 and remained married until his death in 1968.

Her children were Joseph D. Rippeteau Jr., Mary Genevieve Rippeteau, and Eva Rippeteau.

Carl

Carl married twice, and had two children.

His first wife was Margaret Kenney, a socialite, whom he married in 1920 and divorced in 1934.

His second wife was Harriet C. Hilton, a secretary, whom he married in 1936 and remained married until his death in 1957.

His children were Carl H. Hilton Jr. and Patricia Hilton.

Rosemary

Rosemary married once, and had two children. Her husband was Joseph B. Morrow, a banker, whom she married in 1924 and remained married until his death in 1971.

Her children were Joseph B. Morrow Jr. and Rosemary Morrow.

August

August married once, and had three children. His wife was Mary Barron, a socialite, whom he married in 1931 and remained married until his death in 1996.

His children were August H. Hilton Jr., Mary Barron Hilton, and John Barron Hilton.

Helen

Helen married once, and had four children. Her husband was John Patrick Manning, a doctor, whom she married in 1929 and remained married until his death in 1978.

Her children were John Patrick Manning Jr., Mary Genevieve Manning, Helen Manning, and Margaret Manning.

Julian

Juloian married once, and had two children. His wife was Mary Alice Estill, a journalist, whom he married in 1938 and remained married until his death in 2005.

His children were Julian Hilton Jr. and Mary Alice Hilton.

Philanthropic Ventures and Social Causes

Conrad and his siblings were not only successful in their careers, but also generous in their philanthropy.

They donated to many causes and organizations, such as education, health, arts, religion, and human rights.

They also established foundations and trusts, to support their charitable goals and legacy.

The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

It was established by Conrad in 1944, and continues to fund various programs and projects around the world, focusing on areas such as homelessness, disaster relief, water, health, education, and Catholic sisters.

The foundation also awards the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize, which is the world’s largest annual humanitarian award, to organizations that make extraordinary contributions to alleviating human suffering.

The Conrad Hilton Fund for Sisters

This was established by Conrad’s daughter, Constance, in 1986, and supports the work and ministries of Catholic sisters in more than 80 countries.

The fund provides grants for projects that address the needs of the poor and marginalized, such as health care, education, social services, and human rights.

The Hilton Prize Coalition

This was launched in 2015, and is a collaborative network of the winners of the Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize.

The coalition leverages the collective resources and expertise of its members to enhance their impact and innovation, and to foster collaboration and learning among the global humanitarian community.

The Hilton Family Foundation

It was established by Conrad’s son, Barron, in 1980, and supports various causes and organizations, such as the American Red Cross, the Boy Scouts of America, the Salvation Army, and the University of Southern California.

The foundation also donated $1.2 billion to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, following Barron’s death in 2019.

The Hilton Foundation for Sisters

This was established by Conrad’s sister, Rosemary, in 1992, and supports the education and training of Catholic sisters in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The foundation also sponsors scholarships, seminars, and workshops for sisters, and promotes their leadership and empowerment.

The Hilton Santa Fe Historic Plaza Hotel

It was built by Conrad’s brother, Julian, in 1972, and is a historic landmark and a cultural center in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The hotel features a museum, a gallery, and a theater, and hosts various events and programs that celebrate the art, history, and culture of New Mexico and the Southwest.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Conrad Hilton

Q: How did Conrad Hilton die?

A: Conrad Hilton died on January 3, 1979, at the age of 91, in Santa Monica, California. He died of natural causes, and was buried at the Calvary Cemetery in Los Angeles.

He left most of his fortune to the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and a small portion to his family and friends.

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