Howard Hughes

24 December 1905 – 5 April 1976

Howard Hughes was an American business magnate, aviator, engineer and film producer. He inherited the Hughes Tool Company as a young man, produced Hollywood films including Hell's Angels, founded Hughes Aircraft and set several aviation speed records. In his later decades he became famously reclusive while managing a large business and property empire.

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Life events

Born in Houston, Texas
24 December 1905

Howard Robard Hughes Jr. was born in Texas to Howard Hughes Sr., inventor of a rotary drill bit for oil wells, and Allene Gano.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Inherited control of the Hughes Tool Company
1924

After the death of his father, Hughes took control of the family's oil-tool business while still in his teens.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married Ella Rice
1925 – 1929

Hughes married Houston socialite Ella Botts Rice; the couple divorced in 1929.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Released the aviation film Hell's Angels
1930

Hughes produced and directed the costly First World War aviation epic Hell's Angels, which made Jean Harlow a star.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded Hughes Aircraft Company
1932

Hughes established the Hughes Aircraft Company as a division of Hughes Tool in Glendale, California.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Set a round-the-world flight record
July 1938

Hughes flew around the world in a Lockheed 14 Super Electra in 91 hours, beating the previous record set by Wiley Post.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Seriously injured in the crash of the XF-11 prototype
7 July 1946

Hughes crashed the experimental XF-11 reconnaissance aircraft into houses in Beverly Hills during a test flight and was badly injured.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Flew the H-4 Hercules (Spruce Goose) on its only flight
2 November 1947

Hughes piloted the giant wooden flying boat H-4 Hercules for about a mile over Long Beach Harbor, California, its sole flight.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Married actress Jean Peters
1957 – 1971

Hughes married actress Jean Peters in Tonopah, Nevada; they divorced in 1971.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died aboard an aircraft en route to Houston
5 April 1976

Hughes died of kidney failure on a flight from Acapulco, Mexico, to Houston, Texas, aged 70.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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