The Life Story of Howard Hughes
For those who may not know Howard Hughes, maybe the films Hell’s Angels and Scarface will give you a hint. Hughes is the producer behind these two films and others, such as The Outlaw.
Born and raised in a wealthy family, Hughes inherited his father’s million-dollar fortune and turned it into billions. He later became a famous recluse, going so far as to hole himself in a hotel until management threatened to kick him out.
Hughes achieved astounding success in his lifetime. Many remember him as one of the most famous and wealthiest hermits.
Birth and Childhood
Howard Robard Hughes Jr. entered the world in Houston, Texas, on December 24, 1905.
He was the only child of Alene Gano Hughes and Howard Robard Hughes. His father invented a rotary oil drill that saw him become wealthy and start a business, Hughes Tool Company.
Hughes grew up with a silver spoon, attending the best of schools and pursuing his dream of engineering. His parents died before he turned 20, an incident that changed the course of his life.
At the Age of 18, Hughes Was a Millionaire.
Education
Despite being raised in a wealthy family, Howard Hughes Jr. struggled academically and changed schools frequently.
He studied in multiple schools in Massachusetts and California. Hughes later went to Rice Institute in Houston, Texas, and then to California Institute of Technology (Caltech).
Hughes’ idea of studying was through experimenting and tinkering with machines rather than learning in a classroom setting.
At age 12, he designed a radio transmitter from an electric doorbell. Hughes also made a motorbike by fitting a motor onto his bicycle.
Inheriting His Father’s Empire
“Every man has his price, or a guy like me couldn’t exist.” – Howard Hughes.
Hughes’ life took a turn when his parents passed away. His focus shifted from completing school to running his father’s company.
Hughes inherited 75% of his father’s assets and used the funds to buy out his relatives, who gained minority interests in his father’s company.
At 19, he became the sole owner of Hughes Tool Company. Hughes married his first wife, Ella Rice, this same year.
Joining the Film Industry
Hughes and Ella packed their bags and left for Hollywood, where Hughes met and bonded with his uncle, Rupert, a screenwriter.
Hughes became interested in filmmaking. He used some of his fortunes to finance and produce his first film, Swell Hogan, but never released the film.
Determined to succeed in film production, Hughes produced Two Arabian Knights, which won an Oscar in 1929.Â
He then created a war romance film, Hell’s Angels. Hughes became so obsessed with making this film that his wife divorced him after feeling neglected.
Hughes co-produced more films, including The Outlaw, and Scarface, based on the life of Al Capone.
“Once you consent to some concession, you can never cancel it and put things back the way they are.”- Howard Hughes.
Going Into the Aviation Industry
In 1932, Howard Hughes ventured into a new obsession, aviation. He founded the Hughes Aircraft Company and financed the development of several planes.
Hughes also repeatedly risked his life, flying his aircraft to test them. In 1928, he broke the world record by flying around the world.
Amid the onset of World War II, the U.S. granted Hughes a contract to design a large plane that could carry soldiers and war supplies.
He developed the aircraft, naming it the Hughes H-4 Hercules. The media dubbed it the Spruce Goose. The government flew this plane only once before abandoning it.
Hughes suffered several plane accidents in his flying career, including one that caused the death of two people and left him severely injured. One near-death experience in 1946 left him with a collapsed lung, broken ribs, and third-degree burns.
“My father told me, never have partners.” – Howard Hughes.
Becoming a Recluse
Hughes preferred to keep his life private, constantly avoiding the public limelight. He married his second wife, Jean Peters, in 1957 and continued avoiding the public.
Howard Hughes finally sequestered himself in the Desert Inn Hotel, which he later bought after the owners tried to evict him for staying too long. He had become so reclusive that he never left the hotel suite.
Hughes acquired more hotels and properties in Las Vegas. For the ensuing years, he rarely left his hotel room, mostly because he struggled with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and germophobia.
Personal Life
Hughes was a prolific engineer and inventor who created significant designs in the oil drilling and aviation industries.
He also had many romantic relationships with famous models and actresses in his film career, despite having been married and divorced twice.
Death
Howard Hughes died on April 5, 1976, in Houston, Texas, at 70.
He was in poor health and physical condition at the time of his death due to kidney failure.
Hughes died on a private airplane en route to The Methodist Hospital in Houston. He was laid to rest at the Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, Texas.
Closing Remarks
Howard Hughes will be remembered as a famous recluse, a courageous risk-taker, and a relentless innovator who pushed the boundaries of what is possible.
His contributions to the film industry enabled the production of several popular films, such as Scarface and The Outlaw. His works in the aviation industry also saw the invention of various aviation technologies.
“We don’t have a monopoly. Anyone who wants to dig a well without a Hughes bit can always use a pick and shovel.” – Howard Hughes.
Howard Hughes Timeline
Howard Hughes Timeline1905:
Howard Robard Hughes Jr. is born in Houston, Texas.
1921:
Hughes graduates from high school at 15 and enrolls in Caltech.
1924:
Hughes’ father dies. Hughes leaves Caltech and returns to Houston to manage the family business.
1925:
Hughes marries Ella Rice.
1929:
Hughes and Ella Rice divorce.
1930:
Hughes releases Hell’s Angels, a well-received hit film in Europe.
1932:
He forms Hughes Aircraft Company to design and build airplanes, including the H-1 Racer. He also releases Scarface, the film.
1935:
Hughes flies the H-1 Racer, setting the airspeed record of 352 mph.
1938:
Hughes sets another record by completing a flight around the world in just 3 days and 19 hours.
1939:
Hughes starts acquiring a majority share of Trans World Airlines.
1946:
Hughes suffers a near-fatal aircraft accident while piloting the experimental spy plane XF-11 for the U.S. Army.
1947:
Hughes flies the Hughes H-4 Hercules, called the Spruce Goose.
1948-1952:
Hughes gains control of RKO, a major Hollywood Studio, produces a few films, then sells the studio for around $24 million.
1953:
Hughes forms Howard Hughes Medical Institute in Chevy Chase, Maryland.
1957:
Hughes marries Jean Peters.
60s-70s:
Hughes becomes a recluse, barely leaving the house as his mental and physical health deteriorates. He later becomes addicted to his prescription medication.
1960:
Hughes resigns as chairman of TWA’s board due to concerns over a conflict of interest.
1966:
Hughes sells his shares of TWA for $547 million.
1971:
Hughes and Jean Peters divorce.
1976:
Hughes dies on an airplane heading to The Methodist Hospital in Houston.
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Frequently Asked Questions
The information in this post answers many of the questions about Howard Hughes. This section provides a summary and any additional information.
1. How did Howard Hughes make his money?
Howard Hughes made his money through several successful business ventures, including the Hughes Tool Company, inherited from his father, the Hughes Aircraft Company, and Trans World Airlines (TWA).
He also ventured into film production and real estate.
2. Who inherited Hughes’s money?
Howard Hughes died without leaving behind a will.
Therefore, in a dispute that took almost 34 years, the law determined that his assets would get distributed among 22 of his cousins, ex-wives, charities, and other persons who claimed and proved to have a close relationship with him.
3. Who did Howard Hughes date?
Some of Howard Hughes’s most high-profile girlfriends included Katharine Hepburn, Ava Gardner, and Bette Davis.
4. How many times was Howard Hughes married?
Howard Hughes was married twice. First to Ella Botts Rice (1925 to 1929), then to Jean Peters (1957 to 1971).
5. What was Howard Hughes’s net worth?
Howard Hughes was worth $2.5 billion at the time of his death in 1976.
6. How did Howard Hughes die?
The exact cause of Hughes’ death was kidney failure. He died onboard a private jet on his way to receive medical care.
7. Where is Howard Hughes buried?
Howard Hughes is buried in the family plot at the Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, Texas.
8. How old was Howard Hughes when he died?
 Howard Hughes died in 1976 at the age of 70.
9. Who played Howard Hughes in the movie?
Several actors have portrayed Howard Hughes Jr. in several productions over the years.
The most well-known and critically acclaimed portrayal was by Leonardo DiCaprio in The Aviator.
10. When did Howard Hughes sell TWA?
Howard Hughes sold his controlling stake in TWA in 1966 after resigning as chairman of the board of directors in 1960.
11. Where is Howard Hughes Spruce Goose?
Hughes H-4 Hercules, also known as the Spruce Goose, is currently on display at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, Oregon.
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