13 Facts About Alex Spanos

Alex Spanos was born in Stockton, California, to Greek immigrants Constantino and Evanthia Alex Spanos.

Alex Spanos's father owned a bakery where the young Spanos started working at the age of eight.

Alex Spanos' mother even left the family home for two years and attempted to take two children with her, but his parents reunited when he was a teenager and remained married until his death.

Alex Spanos, who played a large part in mediating the conflict between his parents, stated that his turbulent home life was the reason he strove to provide a stable environment for his own children.

Alex Spanos earned varsity letters in swimming and diving at the University of the Pacific in Stockton and later distinguished himself as an amateur golfer.

Alex Spanos invested his earnings in real estate and at the suggestion of his tax accountants, started to build apartments.

Alex Spanos donated $500,000 to renovate the Fox Theatre in downtown Stockton, and with the approval of the City of Stockton, renamed the facility the Fox California Bob Hope Theatre.

Alex Spanos was inducted into the California Building Industry Hall of Fame in 2005.

Alex Spanos received the AHEPA Award, an award that recognizes members of the community for their contributions and achievements in their chosen field of endeavor.

Alex Spanos had a seven-way heart bypass in 2000, and had surgery and chemotherapy for colon cancer.

Alex Spanos wrote a book called Sharing the Wealth: My Story which detailed his rise from a moneyless man of 27 years to become a billionaire.

Alex Spanos was the first person to be on the winning teams in both the Bob Hope Desert Classic in Palm Desert and the Bob Hope British Pro-Am.

Alex Spanos died October 9,2018, age 95, of complications from dementia that had been diagnosed ten years prior.