George Randolph Hearst Jr.
George Randolph Hearst Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 July 1927 San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Died | 25 June 2012 (aged 84) Palo Alto, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Entrepreneur |
| Known for | Chairman of the board at Hearst Corporation (1996–2012) |
George Randolph Hearst Jr. (July 13, 1927 – June 25, 2012) was a notable American entrepreneur and a distinguished member of the influential Hearst family. From 1996 until his passing in 2012, he held the position of chairman of the board at the Hearst Corporation, taking over from his uncle Randolph Apperson Hearst. Hearst Jr. contributed as a company director for more than forty years.
Life
Born on July 13, 1927, in San Francisco, California, George Hearst Jr. arrived alongside his twin sister, Phoebe. His military service included time in the Naval Air Corps followed by active duty in the United States Army during the Korean War.
Beginning in 1948, he worked within the advertising department of the Los Angeles Examiner, a publication established by his grandfather in 1903. Subsequently, he was employed at the family-operated San Francisco Examiner. By 1957, he advanced to business manager at the Los Angeles Herald-Express, and three years later ascended to publisher. During his tenure as publisher of the Herald Examiner starting in 1967, Hearst faced escalating union challenges and sought to counteract their influence. The ensuing strikes persisted until 1977, causing circulation to fall by half to 330,000 and leading to a significant decrease in advertising income; the newspaper never fully regained its former standing.
In that same year, Hearst became part of the Hearst Corporation’s leadership, where he remained active for the remainder of his professional life. The corporation is governed by a trust predominantly managed by non-family executives; it remains intact until all grandchildren living at the time of William Randolph Hearst’s death have passed away. As one of the senior grandchildren, George Jr. occupied one of five family-appointed seats out of thirteen trustees, representing his segment of the family lineage.
George Randolph Hearst Jr. passed away at age 84 in Palo Alto, California due to complications related to a stroke.
Children
In 1951, he married Mary Thompson (born 1931), with whom he had four children, all born in California. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1969.
- Mary Astrid Hearst (1953–2004), born in Santa Monica; mother to daughters Shannon and Alexis; later married Randy Ives; passed away from cancer in San Simeon, California; also known by the nickname "Bunny"
- George Randolph Hearst III (born 1955)
- Stephen Thompson Hearst (born 1956)
- Erin Wilbur Hearst (born 1959), married Mr. Knudsen