Younes Nazarian
Younes Nazarian | |
|---|---|
| Born | 26 January 1931 Iran |
| Died | 18 March 2022 (aged 91) Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor, philanthropist |
| Known for | Early backer of Qualcomm; chairman of Nazarian Enterprises |
| Spouse | Soraya Sarah Nazarian |
| Children | David Nazarian, Shulamit Nazarian, Sharon Nazarian, Sam Nazarian |
Younes Nazarian (January 26, 1931 – March 18, 2022) was a prominent Iranian-American entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist. As an early backer of Qualcomm, he led Nazarian Enterprises as chairman and contributed generously to various initiatives in California and Israel.
Early life
Younes Nazarian was born in Iran to parents Golbahar and Davoud Nazarian. He lost his father when he was just three years old. Following the devastation of his construction contracting business during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, he emigrated to the United States alongside his brother Izak Parviz Nazarian, eventually making their home in Beverly Hills, California.
Career
Upon arriving in the U.S. in 1980, Nazarian became a co-owner of Stadco, a company specializing in aerospace tooling and die manufacturing. He invested in Omninet, a technology company developing a wireless vehicle-tracking system, which he then introduced to Qualcomm founder Irwin M. Jacobs. Through this exchange involving Omninet, Nazarian acquired a significant equity position in Qualcomm and joined its Board of Directors as the company expanded into a leading global wireless telecommunications and fabless semiconductor manufacturer.
As chairman of Nazarian Enterprises, he managed a diversified portfolio spanning private equity, public markets, and real estate. His investments covered sectors including aerospace, manufacturing, logistics, technology, hospitality, and renewable energy. Additionally, he held the role of secretary on the board of ANG, Inc., a military products manufacturer headquartered in Manchester, New Hampshire.
Philanthropy
Younes Nazarian established the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Family Foundation along with its Israeli branch known as the Ima Foundation. His daughter, Sharon Nazarian, acts as President of the foundation.
He served as chairman of the board of governors for both the Jerusalem Academy of Music and Dance (JAMD) and the Haifa Foundation. Numerous institutions carry his and his wife's namesakes, including a building at JAMD, the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Academic Library at Sapir Academic College, and the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Pre-Academic Library at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
In 2007, he contributed $119,000 to the University of Haifa to fund scholarships honoring Israeli soldiers who lost their lives during the 2006 Lebanon War. That same year, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the university and joined its board of governors. A decade later in 2017, he donated $17 million to California State University, Northridge’s Valley Performing Arts Center, which was subsequently renamed to honor his wife Soraya.
Nazarian also supported educational initiatives such as endowing the Beit Midrash Fellowship at Milken Community High School in Bel Air and founding the Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for Israel Studies at UCLA. His philanthropic gifts facilitated construction of the Nazarian Pavilion within USC's Doheny Library. The $17 million gift to CSUN resulted in renaming its performing arts venue as the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts.
He chaired the Habib Levy Cultural & Educational Foundation and held board positions with organizations including the Jewish Federation, Jewish Television Network, Sinai Temple in Westwood, RAND Corporation’s Center for Middle East Public Policy Advisory Board, and Friends of IDF.
Nazarian earned honorary doctorates from both the University of Haifa and California State University, Northridge. His accolades include Israel’s prestigious Torch Lighting Ceremony award as well as receiving the 2011 Ellis Island Medal of Honor.
Personal life
Younes Nazarian shared a marriage with Soraya Sarah Nazarian that spanned 61 years. Together, they raised four children: David Nazarian, Shulamit Nazarian, Sharon Nazarian, and Sam Nazarian. Their extended family includes daughters-in-law Angella Nazarian and Emina Cunmulaj Nazarian, along with sons-in-law Fernando Flint and Matt Oshinsky.
Their lineage further extends to eleven grandchildren—Ariel, Aaron, Phillip, Elan, Sarah, Eli, Layla, Adam, Ella, Mia, and Sha—and one great-grandchild named Lev.
Death
On March 18, 2022, Nazarian died at the age of 91 in his residence located in Los Angeles, California.