Norton Simon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Norton Simon
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Simon in 1971
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| Born | February 5, 1907 |
| Died | June 2, 1993 (aged 86) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | University of California, Berkeley |
| Occupation | Industrialist, philanthropist |
| Known for | Founder of the Norton Simon Museum Founder of Hunt's Foods, owner of Hunt's Ketchup, Tanqueray Gin |
| Political party | Republican |
| Board member of | Hunt's Foods |
| Spouse(s) |
Lucille Ellis
(m. 1933; div. 1970) |
| Children | 2 |
Norton Winfred Simon (February 5, 1907 – June 2, 1993) was a very successful American businessman and generous giver. He was known for his smart business moves and for collecting amazing art. At one point, he was one of the richest people in the United States. He later founded the famous Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena, California.
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Early Life and Education
Norton Simon was born in Portland, Oregon, in 1907. He was the oldest of three children. His father ran a store that sold many different goods. When Norton was sixteen, his family moved to San Francisco.
After high school, Norton went to the University of California, Berkeley. However, he left college after only six weeks. He was eager to start his own business instead.
Building a Business Empire
Norton Simon began his career by starting a company that distributed sheet metal. He quickly found success. In 1927, he invested in a struggling orange juice company in Fullerton, California. He renamed it Val Vita Food Products Company.
Growing Val Vita Foods
Under Simon's leadership, Val Vita grew rapidly. He added more products like canned fruits and vegetables. He also bought equipment to help with canning.
One of his biggest moves was selling Val Vita to Hunt's Foods. In return, he gained control of the combined company. By 1943, he changed the company's name to Hunt Food and Industries.
Smart Marketing Strategies
Simon was very good at marketing. He focused on making Hunt's products well-known. He bought large, colorful ads in popular magazines like Vogue and Life. This was unusual for a food company back then. His slogan, "Hunt for the best," became famous.
His marketing worked! By 1945, Hunt Foods was a household name. It became one of the largest food processing businesses on the West Coast.
Expanding Beyond Food
With the money from Hunt Foods, Simon started buying shares in other companies. He looked for businesses that were not valued highly but had potential to grow. He bought parts of well-known companies like McCall's Publishing and Canada Dry Corporation. He also invested in Max Factor cosmetics and Avis Car Rental.
In 1968, he combined some of these companies into a new holding company called Norton Simon Inc. He retired from active business involvement in 1969.
A Passion for Art
Norton Simon loved art and built a huge collection. It included works by Impressionist painters, Old Masters, and modern art. In the 1960s, he bought many artworks from the Duveen Gallery in New York. His collection even included three paintings by the famous artist Rembrandt.
Simon was a trustee for the Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science and Art. He helped create the LA County Museum of Art. He often lent his art collection to different museums around the world. He called this the "museum without walls" idea.
The Norton Simon Museum
Simon wanted a permanent home for his collection of over 4,000 art pieces. In 1972, he took over the Pasadena Museum of Modern Art, which was having financial problems. In 1974, it was renamed the Norton Simon Museum. This museum now holds his incredible art collection for everyone to enjoy.
Later Life and Legacy
After retiring from business, Norton Simon focused on giving back. He served on the boards of several important organizations. These included the University of California and Reed College. He also helped with the Los Angeles Music Center.
In 1971, he married actress Jennifer Jones. He passed away on June 2, 1993, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 86 years old. Even after his death, his second wife, Jennifer Jones, continued to be involved with the Norton Simon Museum until her passing in 2009. His legacy lives on through the museum and his impact on business and philanthropy.
