Sheldon Lavin (June 17, 1932 – May 26, 2023) was an American billionaire businessman, and the owner, chief executive officer (CEO) and chairman of OSI Group, a US meat processor and the main hamburger supplier to

McDonald's McDonald's Corporation, doing business as McDonald's, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational fast food chain store, chain. As of 2024, it is the second largest by number of locations in the world, behind only the Chinese ch ...

. At his death, his net worth was estimated at US$3.1 billion.

Early life

Sheldon Lavin was born in 1932. He earned a bachelor's degree in business from

Roosevelt University Roosevelt University is a private university in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Founded in 1945, the university was named in honor of United States President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The university enrolls arou ...

in Chicago.

Career

In 1970, Lavin worked with OSI as a consultant to help the company organize the financing of its first modern meat plant. He later became a full-time employee, and took over the business in the 1980s, eventually acquiring an estimated 90% stake. In November of 2013, he was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame.

Personal life

Lavin lived in

Highland Park, Illinois Highland Park is a suburban city located in southeastern Lake County, Illinois, United States, about north of downtown Chicago. Per the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population was 30,176. Highland Park is one of several municipali ...

, US. He was married to Sylvia Spatz for 55 years until her death in 2009. They had three children, Debbi Rosenberg, Steven H. Lavin, and Jerold R. Lavin. Lavin was Jewish. He died at his home on May 26, 2023. Lavin was a contributor to and active in many charities including Ronald McDonald House Charities (for which was a Chairman of the capital campaign from 2013-2015), the Inner City Foundation of Chicago, Jewish United Fund and numerous other Jewish charities, Evans Scholarship Fund, Boys and Girls Clubs of Chicago, United Negro College Fund, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, and many other national and local charities.

Honors

In November 2013, Lavin was inducted into the Meat Industry Hall of Fame.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lavin, Sheldon 1932 births 2023 deaths American billionaires People from Highland Park, New Jersey Roosevelt University alumni American philanthropists