Sam Zell was a legendary American real estate investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Born in 1941 to Polish Jewish immigrants, Zell built a multibillion-dollar fortune through his visionary approach to real estate investments. He founded Equity Group Investments in 1968, which grew into a global investment firm. Zell was known as the "Grave Dancer" for his ability to revive distressed properties. He created three of the largest real estate investment trusts in history and pioneered the modern REIT industry. In 2007, Zell orchestrated the largest leveraged buyout of its time with the $39 billion sale of Equity Office Properties Trust. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Zell remained a major donor to his alma mater, establishing the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies. His memoir, "Am I Being Too Subtle?", offers candid insights into his unconventional business strategies. Zell passed away in May 2023 at the age of 81, leaving behind a lasting legacy in real estate and entrepreneurship.