Profile of the Day: William Randolph Hearst

William Randolph Hearst

Are you related to a media tycoon? On this day in 1863, American newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst was born in San Francisco, California.

Hearst was the only son of wealthy mining magnet George Hearst and his wife, Phoebe Apperson Hearst. He entered the publishing business after receiving control of The San Francisco Examiner from his father. Before long, Hearst used his vast wealth to acquire more and more newspapers and magazines across the country. His vast media holdings meant Hearst held considerable influence on American journalism and politics.

During its heyday in the 1920s and 1930s, an invitation to Hearst’s estate was highly coveted amongst Hollywood and political elites. Today his mansion, known as Hearst Castle, is a California state monument and a widely popular tourist attraction.

Did you know Hearst’s life story inspired the lead character in Orson Welles’s film, Citizen Kane?

Explore William Randolph Hearts’s family tree on Geni and discover how you’re related!
 

View William Randolph Hearst’s Geni Profile

Image: Library of Congress