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Marian Ilitch

American businesswoman, entrepreneur and billionaire (born 1933)

Marian Bayoff Ilitch (born January 7, 1933) is an American billionaire businesswoman, and the co-founder of Little Caesars Pizza with her late husband, Mike Ilitch. As of March 2018, Ilitch was one of the world's seven richest women, according to Bloomberg.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Marian Ilitch (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jan 7, 1933.1

Net worth $6.9B (as of 2025, per forbes.com).14 Richest people

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedFordson High School3

Career

Occupation: entrepreneur.6

The Ilitches founded Little Caesars Pizza in 1959, which they expanded as a franchise. They have since expanded their interests to include restaurants, entertainment, sports and gaming.

From Wikipedia’s article on Marian Ilitch (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornJan 7, 1933, Dearborn7
  • CitizenshipUnited States8
  • ResidenceDetroit9
  • SpouseMike Ilitch10

She was born in 1933 and raised in Dearborn, Michigan, the daughter of Macedonian immigrants from the village of Bouf (modern day Akritas, Florina, Greece).

She met her future husband Mike Ilitch, also a child of Macedonian immigrants, in 1954 when the two went on a blind date arranged by his father. A year later, they married. The couple has seven children together.

Ilitch family

Ilitch and her husband have seven children: Christopher Paul Ilitch (born June 1965) is CEO and president of Ilitch Holdings, Inc.; Denise D. Ilitch (born November 1955) is an attorney and former co-president, with her brother, of Ilitch Holdings. Other children are Ronald "Ron" Tyrus Ilitch, Michael C. Ilitch, Jr., Lisa M. Ilitch Murray, Atanas Ilitch (born Thomas Ilitch) and Carole M. Ilitch. Ron Ilitch was found dead in his hotel room in February 2018 at the age of 61, having predeceased his mother.

From Wikipedia’s article on Marian Ilitch (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Awards

  • 2001Michigan Women's Hall of Fame11 12
  • Date not recordedStanley Cup11

Sources

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    WikidataNet worth