Sam Zell dead at 81

Sam Zell, a Chicago real estate magnate who earned a multibillion-dollar fortune and a reputation as “the grave dancer” for his ability to revive moribund properties has died due to complications from a recent illness. He was 81.

Zell bought the Tribune Company for $13 billion which included the Chicago Cubs and WGN at the time in 2007. A year later, the media giant filed for bankruptcy and he was painted as the villain. Zell called the acquisition, “a deal from hell.”

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