Christopher Ilitch | $1B+

Billionaire

Jul 29

Get in touch with Christopher Ilitch | Christopher Ilitch is the president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, the Detroit-based privately held conglomerate founded by his parents Mike and Marian Ilitch. He oversees iconic brands such as Little Caesars Pizza, the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, and their real estate & entertainment ventures. Since becoming sole CEO in 2004, he has led over a 600% revenue increase and drives Detroit renaissance through projects like The District Detroit.

Christopher Paul Ilitch (born June 2, 1965) is an American businessman, and president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Ilitch Holdings, Inc., a holding company for businesses that were founded or purchased by Mike and Marian Ilitch. Ilitch companies include Little Caesars Pizza, Olympia Entertainment, MotorCity Casino Hotel, the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball, the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League, and numerous real estate holdings. In 2018, the organization's total combined revenue was $3.8 billion.[1]

Christopher Ilitch
BornChristopher Paul Ilitch
June 2, 1965 (age 60)
Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Michigan
OccupationBusinessman
TitlePresident and CEO, Ilitch Holdings
Term2010-
SpouseKelle Ilitch
Children3
Parent(s)Mike Ilitch
Marian Ilitch
RelativesDenise Ilitch (sister)
Jim Lites (former brother-in-law)

Through Ilitch Holdings, Ilitch is chairman and CEO of the Detroit Tigers, and governor, president, and CEO of the Detroit Red Wings.[2][3]

Contents

Early life

edit

Ilitch is the youngest son of Mike Ilitch and Marian Ilitch.[4] His siblings are Denise Ilitch, Ronald "Ron" Tyrus Ilitch, Michael C. Ilitch Jr., Lisa M. Ilitch Murray, Atanas Ilitch (born Thomas Ilitch), and Carole M. Ilitch. He is the former brother-in-law of sports executive Jim Lites.[5]

Ilitch attended high school at Cranbrook Kingswood in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he was captain of the baseball team, and a member of the 1983 state championship hockey team.[6][7] He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Michigan in 1987.[8]

Career

edit

Ilitch worked a short time at IBM before joining his family's business. He started managing a Little Caesars location in Walled Lake, Michigan, and later managing several stores in the Chicago area before returning to Detroit.[8] In 2000, Ilitch and his sister Denise Ilitch were named co-presidents of Ilitch Holdings. Denise resigned in 2004, and Christopher was named sole CEO.[9]

As president and CEO, Ilitch leads and provides oversight to the Ilitch companies, including Little Caesars Pizza, Blue Line Distribution, the Detroit Red Wings, Olympia Entertainment, the Detroit Tigers, Olympia Development of Michigan (real estate), Little Caesars Pizza Kit Fundraising Program, and Champion Foods (food manufacturing). The organization also has a joint venture interest in 313 Presents. Additionally, Christopher's mother Marian Ilitch owns MotorCity Casino Hotel. Under Major League Baseball rules, an owner or officer of a baseball club cannot own or operate a casino. Bob DuPuy, baseball’s chief operating officer, stated in 2006 that the arrangement was permissible, as Marian has no stake in the Tigers, and Christopher has no stake in the casino.[10][11]

Ilitch has his name engraved on the Stanley Cup as a member of team management for the Red Wings NHL Championships in 1997, 1998, 2002, and 2008.[12]

Civic roles

edit

Ilitch is chairman of Ilitch Charities. He serves on the board of directors for Business Leaders for Michigan, the Downtown Detroit Partnership, and the Detroit Economic Club. Ilitch is also a member of the Detroit chapter of the Young Presidents' Organization.[13]

Ilitch has served on the host committees for major sporting events held in Detroit, including the 2009 NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament, the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, and Super Bowl XL. Along with William Clay Ford Jr., he served as co-chair for the 2010 NCAA Division I Men's Ice Hockey Tournament held at Ford Field in Detroit.[14]

Personal life

edit

He and his wife, Kelle, have three children and reside in metro Detroit.[15] In August 2024, they filed for divorce.[16]

Ilitch remains an avid hockey player and competes in an adult league in the Metro Detroit area.[8][14]

Ilitch is a third generation Macedonian American, as both his mother and father were children of Macedonian immigrants to the Detroit area.

Join UHNWI direct Affiliate Program

Earn Passive Income by Sharing Verified Contact Information of Billionaires, Centi-Millionaires, and Multi-Millionaires on the UHNWI Direct Platform

Maximize your earnings potential by sharing direct and validated contact information of the ultra-wealthy, including billionaires, centi-millionaires, and multi-millionaires. Join the UHNWI Direct platform and tap into a lucrative passive income stream by providing valuable data to those seeking high-net-worth connections. Start earning today with UHNWI Direct.

Apply to Join Affiliate Program

You may also be interested in reviewing other UHNWIs profiles.

To find the person you want to contact, start typing their name or other relevant tags in the search bar.

Please note: Our database contains over 10,000 direct contacts of UHNWIs, and it is highly likely that the individual you are seeking is already included. However, creating individual profiles for each contact is a meticulous and time-intensive process, So, if you are unable to find the profile of the individual you are looking for, please click here.

Filter by Net Worth: All | Billionaires | Centi-Millionaires | Multi-Millionaires

Filter by Age: 1920-1930 | 1930-1940 | 1940-1950 | 1950-1960 | 1960-1970 | 1970-1980 | 1980-1990 | 1990-2000

Filter by: Men | Women

Related People

UHNWI direct

Dan Cathy | $10B+

Dan (Daniel Truett) Cathy is the American billionaire Chairman of Chick‑fil‑A—the fast-food giant founded by his father, S. Truett Cathy. He served as CEO from 2013 to 2021, scaling annual revenues from about $5 billion to over $16 billion while expanding the chain to over 3,000 U.S. and Canadian restaurants. He remains deeply involved in the family-run WinShape Foundation.

Christopher Ilitch | $1B+

Christopher Ilitch is the president and CEO of Ilitch Holdings, the Detroit-based privately held conglomerate founded by his parents Mike and Marian Ilitch. He oversees iconic brands such as Little Caesars Pizza, the Detroit Red Wings, Detroit Tigers, and their real estate & entertainment ventures. Since becoming sole CEO in 2004, he has led over a 600% revenue increase and drives Detroit renaissance through projects like The District Detroit.

Carl Lindner III | $1B+

Carl Lindner III is the co-CEO and co-president of American Financial Group, a Cincinnati-based Fortune 500 insurance and financial services firm. As longtime chair of Great American Insurance since 1987, he oversees specialized commercial P&C operations while managing over $30 billion in assets. A devout Christian known for disciplined risk-taking and philanthropy, Lindner embodies his family’s values-driven leadership legacy.

Bruce Karsh | $1B+

Bruce Karsh is the co-founder, co-chairman, and Chief Investment Officer of Oaktree Capital Management, the global leader in distressed-debt investing with nearly $190 billion in assets under management. A former appellate clerk for Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, Karsh transitioned from law to finance, quietly building a reputation as the “quiet secret behind Oaktree’s success” alongside Howard Marks.

Bill Haslam | $1B+

Bill Haslam is an American billionaire businessman and politician, best known as the 49th governor of Tennessee (2011–2019) and former mayor of Knoxville. A graduate of Emory University, he led the family’s Pilot travel-center empire—selling a majority stake to Berkshire Hathaway—and championed education reforms and economic growth in Tennessee.

Bill Alfond | $1B+

Bill Alfond is an American investor and philanthropist who inherited a billion-dollar fortune when his father, Harold Alfond, exchanged Dexter Shoe Company for Berkshire Hathaway stock. A trustee and Maine community supporter, he co-founded the Bill & Joan Alfond Foundation and holds a minority stake in Fenway Sports Group alongside his siblings.

Bennett Rosenthal | $1B+

Bennett Rosenthal is a billionaire financier and co‑founder of Ares Management, #2 on Forbes’ private credit scale. As Managing Partner and Chairman of the firm’s Private Equity Group, he oversees a diversified portfolio that spans credit, real estate, tech, healthcare, and entertainment. He’s also lead managing owner of LAFC, the MLS’s most valuable team.

Ben Ashkenazy | $1B+

Ben Ashkenazy is an Israeli‑American real estate billionaire who founded Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation in 1987, now overseeing a $12 billion global property portfolio. Known for strategic landmark deals like stakes in New York’s Plaza Hotel, Boston’s Faneuil Hall, and London’s Grosvenor House, he’s raised fresh capital to pursue discounted acquisitions—cementing his reputation as a bold, shrewd titan in commercial real estate.

Behdad Eghbali | $1B+

Behdad Eghbali is an Iranian–American billionaire and co‑founder & managing partner of Clearlake Capital, the fast‑growing private equity firm with over $90 billion in assets under management. A UC Berkeley Haas alumnus and former TPG and Morgan Stanley banker, he has steered high-profile investments in technology, industrials, and more. In May 2022, he became co-owner of Chelsea Football Club, reflecting his expanding global influence in sports ownership.

Avram Glazer | $1B+

Avram Glazer is the American billionaire and co-chairman of Manchester United and part-owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A Washington University and American University Law graduate, he has overseen multiple sports championships—from Manchester United’s Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup wins to the Buccaneers’ two Super Bowl titles.

Arturo Moreno | $1B+

Arturo “Arte” Moreno is the first Mexican‑American to own a major U.S. sports franchise after purchasing the Anaheim Angels in 2003. A self‑made billionaire, he built his fortune in billboard advertising—expanding Outdoor Systems into an $8 billion sale—then transformed the Angels into a $2.7 billion-plus franchise. His leadership spans sports, media and community investment.

Arthur Blank | $1B+

Arthur Blank is the co‑founder of The Home Depot and the visionary behind the Blank family’s $10 billion enterprise, including the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta United FC, Mercedes‑Benz Stadium, PGA TOUR Superstore, and Montana guest ranches. A Babson College graduate and committed philanthropist, Blank has given over $1 billion through his family foundation and led a $200 million donation to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

Antony Ressler | $10B+

Antony “Tony” Ressler is a billionaire investor, co-founder of two private equity giants — Apollo Global Management (1990) and Ares Management (1997 )— and principal owner of the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks. A Georgetown-educated financier, he built an empire across credit, private equity, and real estate, and channels his wealth into philanthropy, education, and the arts.

Andrew Cherng | $1B+

Andrew Cherng is the Chinese–Taiwanese–American restaurateur and analytics-driven CEO behind Panda Restaurant Group—the force behind Panda Inn and the fast‑food giant Panda Express. With degrees in mathematics, he launched Panda Inn with his father in 1973, scaled Panda Express from a mall food-court concept in 1983 to over 2,000 locations, and maintains private, family-led leadership focused on innovation, philanthropy, and operational excellence.

Alex Meruelo | $1B+

Alex Meruelo is a Cuban-American entrepreneur and investor, known for building a diversified business empire spanning media, hospitality, gaming, real estate, and finance. As the first Latino owner of an NHL team—the Arizona Coyotes—Meruelo is a trailblazer in sports ownership and a prominent figure in the Latino business community. His portfolio includes Meruelo Media, Sahara Las Vegas, and Grand Sierra Resort, reflecting a bold, multi-sector investment strategy.

Michael Eisner | $1B+

Michael Eisner is a legendary media executive and former CEO of The Walt Disney Company, credited with reviving Disney’s creative legacy and expanding its global empire. From blockbuster films and theme parks to major acquisitions like ABC and ESPN, Eisner reshaped modern entertainment. After Disney, he founded The Tornante Company, continuing his influence through ventures in digital media, collectibles, and sports ownership.

Stephen Ross | $10B+

Stephen M. Ross is a real estate magnate, philanthropist, and sports team owner known for founding Related Companies, the real estate firm behind iconic projects like Hudson Yards, and for owning the Miami Dolphins. With a significant influence in real estate, sports, and philanthropy.

Lakshmi Mittal | $10B+

Lakshmi Mittal is an Indian-born British business tycoon and the chairman and CEO of ArcelorMittal, the largest steelmaking company globally. His strategic acquisitions and innovative approaches have significantly shaped the global steel industry. Beyond business, Mittal is known for his philanthropic endeavors, especially in education and healthcare.

Conor McGregor | $100M+

Conor McGregor is an Irish professional mixed martial artist and boxer, known for his charismatic personality, sharp wit, and powerful left hand. He has achieved immense success in the UFC, becoming the first fighter to hold titles in two weight classes simultaneously. Beyond sports, McGregor has established himself as an entrepreneur with ventures in the whiskey industry, fashion, and more.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. | $100M+

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an American former professional boxer and current boxing promoter. Widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers of all time, he has won fifteen major world titles and retired with an undefeated record of 50-0. Mayweather is also known for his flamboyant lifestyle and significant earnings, which have made him one of the wealthiest athletes in the world.

Jorge Paulo Lemann | $10B+

Jorge Paulo Lemann is a Brazilian-Swiss billionaire, investment banker, and businessman. He is one of the founders of 3G Capital, a global investment firm known for its acquisitions of major companies such as Anheuser-Busch, Burger King, and Heinz. Lemann is also recognized for his low-profile lifestyle despite his significant wealth and influence in global business.

Henry Samueli | $10B+

Henry Samueli is an American engineer, businessman, and philanthropist. As the co-founder of Broadcom Corporation, he has played a key role in advancing semiconductor and broadband technology. Beyond his impact in tech, Samueli is a dedicated philanthropist, supporting education, medical research, and sports as the owner of the Anaheim Ducks.

Stanley Kroenke | $10B+

Stanley Kroenke is an American billionaire businessman and real estate developer. He is the founder of Kroenke Sports & Entertainment, which owns several professional sports teams across the United States and the United Kingdom. Known for his significant investments in sports and real estate, Kroenke has made a substantial impact on both industries.

James Ratcliffe | $10B+

James Ratcliffe is a British billionaire, chemical engineer, and businessman. He is the founder and CEO of Ineos Group, a global chemicals company. Known for his strategic investments and expansion in the chemicals industry, Ratcliffe has made significant impacts on the global market.

Ravi Jaipuria | $10B+

Ravi Jaipuria is an Indian billionaire and a prominent figure in the beverage and fast-food industry, particularly known for his association with PepsiCo and RJ Corp. He has significantly expanded his business empire, making substantial contributions to the food and beverage sector in India and other emerging markets.

Mark Wahlberg | $100M+

Mark Wahlberg is a versatile and influential figure in Hollywood known for his successful acting career, entrepreneurial ventures, and philanthropy. With a background in music, acting, and business, he has carved out a significant place for himself in the entertainment industry and beyond.

Dwayne Johnson | $100M+

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is a global icon in entertainment, renowned for his successful careers in professional wrestling, acting, and business. He is celebrated for his versatility, charisma, and influence across multiple industries.

Steve Cohen | $10B+

Steve Cohen is an American billionaire hedge fund manager, art collector, and owner of the New York Mets. He is the founder of Point72 Asset Management and S.A.C. Capital Advisors, renowned for his aggressive trading strategies and substantial influence in both the financial and sports industries.

David Tepper | $10B+

David Tepper is an American billionaire hedge fund manager, philanthropist, and owner of the Carolina Panthers of the NFL and Charlotte FC of Major League Soccer. Known for his astute investment strategies and significant charitable contributions, Tepper has made a substantial impact in the financial world and beyond.

John Menard, Jr. | $10B+

John Menard, Jr. is the founder of Menards, a Midwest home improvement chain. Known for his low-profile demeanor, Menard has built a retail empire, making him one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States.

Essential marketing tools to effectively engage wealthy individuals, tailored to meet any personal, marketing, or sales objectives.

Use tags below for more precise targeting.

UHNWI data https://www.uhnwidata.com/

Christopher Ilitch | $1B+

Join UHNWI direct Affiliate Program

Earn Passive Income by Sharing Verified Contact Information of Billionaires, Centi-Millionaires, and Multi-Millionaires on the UHNWI Direct Platform

You may also be interested in reviewing other UHNWIs profiles.

Related People

Marketing Tools

Essential marketing tools to effectively engage wealthy individuals, tailored to meet any personal, marketing, or sales objectives.

Use tags below for more precise targeting.

J. Christopher Reyes | $10B+

Christopher Goldsbury | $1B+