Mike Ilitch | |
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Born | Michael Ilitch July 20, 1929 |
Died | February 10, 2017 Detroit, Michigan, U.S. | (aged 87)
Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, restaurateur |
Spouse | Marian Ilitch |
Children | 7, including Christopher and Denise |
Michael Ilitch Sr. (July 20, 1929 – February 10, 2017), also known as Mr. I, was an American entrepreneur and restaurateur who served as the founder and owner of the international fast food franchise Little Caesars Pizza. He also owned the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League and Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.
Ilitch was at the center of Detroit's downtown redevelopment efforts; he purchased and renovated the Fox Theatre and relocated his business headquarters (Ilitch Holdings) there. He also owned Olympia Entertainment. A second generation American of Macedonian descent,[1][2] he was married to Marian Bayoff Ilitch.