You are probably used to the fact that the list of outstanding people always includes exemplary personalities with an ideal reputation. But what about a gangster with a dark past? We are talking about Bugsy Siegel, one of the most famous gangsters of the first half of the 20th century, who had a serious impact on the development of criminal business in the United States.
However, this man is worthy of attention, not for his merits in the criminal world. Bugsy Siegel was an active investor and made many investments in the cultural heritage of Las Vegas and America in general.
Why Bugsy Siegel is Called America’s Greatest Investor
Bugsy was originally named Benjamin and was born in 1906 in a rather small immigrant home. However, his hidden childhood did not stop him from turning Las Vegas, a small town in the Nevada desert, into one of the world’s centers of gambling and entertainment in the 1940s. With his ability to inspire confidence, Siegel helped create an entire market that represented wealth, aesthetics and, above all, the spirit of the American dream.
Siegel was looking for ways to make money quickly from a young age. He started with petty crime on the streets of Brooklyn but soon made his mark in the criminal world and entered the circles of organized crime in New York.
However, his desire to work legitimately was great, and so he planned to invest in the entertainment business. It was then that he began to show interest in the possibilities of gambling. From this moment on, the history of Las Vegas as a major gambling center began.
Las Vegas: Bugsy Led Cultural Center Renovation
Las Vegas was not popular among tourists despite the fact that the laws regarding gambling were always loyal. However, the form and scale of entertainment seemed far from what we can see now. It was at this point that Bugsy Siegel decided to change the situation and build a new type of casino hotel.
Las Vegas is a place that can be overcrowded with tourists from different parts of the country. That is why Siegel drew inspiration from Cuban and Californian resorts to create a casino that would be luxurious and offer a huge selection of entertainment.
The project was called Flamingo. Siegel named the hotel after his girlfriend Virginia Hill, who had a nickname of the same name. It took $ 6 million to open a casino of such a large size. Such funds were obtained not only from Bugsy Siegel’s income but also from receiving money from criminal groups in New York and Chicago.
Interesting Facts about Bugsy Siegel and the Flamingo
Thanks to his tenacity and aspirations, this person was able to take a significant place in history. Check out interesting facts about Siegel:
- Nickname “Bugsy”. Siegel received the nickname “Bugsy” for his tough and unpredictable character, which meant “crazy”. But he himself hated this nickname and was ready to use force against anyone who dared to call him that.
- Friendship with Hollywood stars. While in Los Angeles, Siegel communicated with many Hollywood stars, including Jean Harlow and Clark Gable, which helped him strengthen the image of a “star” crime boss.
- Constant construction delays. Financial difficulties and lack of experience led to the estimate for the construction of the Flamingo increasing almost three times, and the project almost failed.
- The first shooting in Las Vegas. It is believed that Siegel’s murder is what put Las Vegas on the map as a place for organized crime. His death was a signal to other mobsters and mobsters that Las Vegas was open for business.
- His love for Virginia Hill. His connection with Hill, a girl nicknamed “Flamingo”, was so strong that despite rumors of infidelity, she stayed by his side until his death. Hill also became a key player in managing his finances and contacts.
Bugsy Siegel is a figure who united the world of crime and high society, a dreamer and a visionary who opened Las Vegas to the world.
The End of Bugsy Siegel: A Mysterious Murder
The construction of the Flamingo brought much prosperity, but Siegel never got to taste the sweet taste of victory. Bugsy Siegel was murdered in June 1947 in his Virginia home. The murder was never solved, but there is much reason to believe that disgruntled investors were involved.
Bugsy Siegel’s death was tragic, but he will forever remain an important figure in the history and future of Las Vegas. His vision was revolutionary and risky, but it laid the foundation for an industry that today attracts tens of millions of tourists and is extremely profitable.