{{Short description|Canadian businessman (born 1931)}} {{Infobox person | image = Isadore Sharp, Dan Hadani collection (990048211210205171) (cropped).jpg | caption = Isadore Sharp, 1969 | name = Isadore Sharp | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1931|10|8|mf=y}} | birth_place = [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], Canada | death_date = | death_place = | occupation = Founder and Chairman, <br> [[Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts]] | spouse = Rosalie Wise | children = Jordan Sharp<br>Gregory Sharp<br>Anthony Sharp<br>Christopher Sharp (deceased) | website = [https://www.fourseasons.com/about_four_seasons/corporate_bios/isadore_sharp/ Corporate biography] | footnotes = | awards = [[Order of Canada]] }}

'''Isadore "Issy" Sharp''', {{Post-nominals|country=CAN|OC}} (born October 8, 1931) is a Canadian hotelier and philanthropist. He is founder and chairman of [[Four Seasons Hotel|Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Isadore Sharp|url=https://press.fourseasons.com/corporate-bios/isadore-sharp.html/|access-date=2020-06-08|website=Four Seasons Press Room|language=en|archive-date=2020-09-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200916122011/https://press.fourseasons.com/corporate-bios/isadore-sharp.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> He founded the [[Terry Fox Run]].

==Early life and education== Sharp was born in Toronto, the son of [[Polish Jewish]] immigrants. His father, Max, a devout [[Torah]] scholar, was a Polish Jew who emigrated from Poland to the British Mandate of Palestine in 1920<ref>[[History of Jews in Poland#Interbellum (1918–39)]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=October 2020}},<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cjpme.org/fs_181|title = Jewish Immigration to Historical Palestine}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|url=https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13531040802284106|doi = 10.1080/13531040802284106|title = Jewish immigration to the British Mandate of Palestine in the long 1920s: An exploratory examination|year = 2008|last1 = Metzer|first1 = Jacob|journal = Journal of Israeli History|volume = 27|issue = 2|pages = 221–251|s2cid = 159622305|url-access = subscription}}</ref> and finally to [[Toronto]] five years later. He worked as a plasterer until his family began to grow with the arrival of Issy and three daughters. His father's expertise was in home renovation and he often renovated homes and resold them for a profit as a [[real estate]] investor. During the summers, Sharp would obtain experience in the construction business by working for his father. He excelled in sports during his high school years. In 1952, he graduated with high marks from Ryerson Institute of Technology (now [[Toronto Metropolitan University]]) with a diploma in architectural technology.<ref name=fortune>[http://fortune.com/2016/03/29/four-seasons-hotels-isadore-sharp/ "How the Founder of Four Seasons Stumbled Into the Hotel Business"], ''Fortune'' magazine, March 29, 2016</ref>

==Career== After graduating from Ryerson, Sharp went to work for his father's company full-time as an [[architect]] and [[real estate developer]], building apartment buildings and houses. It was his work building a small 22-unit [[motel]] (Motel 27) on the outskirts of Toronto for family friend, Jack Gould, that was his introduction to the [[hospitality]] business.<ref>Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy</ref><ref name="money.cnn.com">{{cite news| url=https://money.cnn.com/2009/05/06/news/newsmakers/prasso_sharp.fortune/index.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511050215/http://money.cnn.com/2009/05/06/news/newsmakers/prasso_sharp.fortune/index.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=May 11, 2009 | work=CNN | first1=Sheridan | last1=Prasso | title=Four Seasons' recession-proof philosophy | date=2009-05-06}}</ref> He founded the Four Seasons Hotel in 1960<ref>{{cite news|last1=Gordon|first1=Dave|title=A man for all seasons - how Issy Sharp built his hotel chain|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37557539|accessdate=October 10, 2016|work=BBC News|date=October 10, 2016}}</ref> and opened the first hotel on [[Jarvis Street]] in downtown Toronto in 1961.<ref name="money.cnn.com"/>

On November 6, 2006, American business magnate [[Bill Gates]], through his [[holding company]] [[Cascade Investments LLC]], and Saudi businessman, [[Al-Waleed bin Talal|Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal]] through his company [[Kingdom Holding Company]] made an offer to take Four Seasons Hotels [[buyout|private]] for US$3.4 billion (excluding debt).<ref>{{cite web|author=Spain, William |url=http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/Story.aspx?guid={42FD3677-533D-4E86-9C96-257CEE6D327D}&siteId=mktw |title=Four Seasons gets $3.7 billion bid from CEO, Gates, Bin Talal |publisher=MarketWatch |date=2006-11-06 |accessdate=2011-03-10}}</ref> Sharp would remain chairman and chief executive of the company. He also would be able to realize proceeds from a 1989 incentive plan that would pay him $288 million; the company's headquarters would remain in Toronto.

==Philanthropy== Sharp founded and was the director of the [[Terry Fox Run]]. He first met [[Terry Fox]] when the latter arrived in [[Montreal]] in June 1980 during his trek across the country to raise money for [[cancer research]]. Sharp invited Fox to rest in one of the city's Four Seasons hotels for a week before resuming his run, helped pay for his [[cancer treatment]], and later pledged to contribute to research funds on his behalf.<ref name="money.cnn.com"/>

Sharp and his wife are prominent [[Canadians|Canadian]] philanthropists, having made significant donations to many sources including the [[Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=https://www.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FRTGAM.20080307.wopera07%2FBNStory%2FEntertainment%2F%3Fpage%3Drss%26id%3DRTGAM.20080307.wopera07&ord=74542715&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true |title=Arts |publisher=globeandmail.com |accessdate=2011-03-10 |location=Toronto |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509202139/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/Page/document/v5/content/subscribe?user_URL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theglobeandmail.com%2Fservlet%2Fstory%2FRTGAM.20080307.wopera07%2FBNStory%2FEntertainment%2F%3Fpage%3Drss&id=RTGAM.20080307.wopera07&ord=74542715&brand=theglobeandmail&force_login=true |archivedate=May 9, 2009 }}</ref> the [[Ontario College of Art & Design|Ontario College of Art and Design]],<ref>[http://www.ocad.ca/about_ocad/support_ocad/make_a_donation/ideas_need_space.htm OCAD – About OCAD – Support OCAD – Make a Donation – Ideas Need Space<!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20071108121015/http://www.ocad.ca/about_ocad/support_ocad/make_a_donation/ideas_need_space.htm |date=2007-11-08 }}</ref> [[Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto|Mount Sinai Hospital]],<ref>[http://www.mtsinai.on.ca/Publications/YHRSummer2001/KimelMRI.htm Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304025850/http://www.mtsinai.on.ca/Publications/YHRSummer2001/KimelMRI.htm |date=March 4, 2008 }}</ref> and the [[Hebrew University of Jerusalem]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cfhu.org/node/233 |title=The Isadore Sharp, Einstein Doctoral Scholarships |publisher=Canadian Friends of the Hebrew University |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725153913/http://www.cfhu.org/node/233 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The Sharps are spearheading a proposal to build a [[Jewish Museum of Canada]] in Toronto<ref name=knelman>{{cite news|title=Cultural complex to rise on planetarium site, including Jewish Museum of Canada|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/09/09/cultural_complex_to_rise_on_planetarium_site_including_jewish_museum_of_canada_knelman.html|accessdate=January 11, 2016|work=Toronto Star|date=September 9, 2014}}</ref> and have pledged $20 million towards the project, towards a total fundraising goal of $150 million.<ref name=cjn>{{cite news|title=SHARP FAMILY SPEARHEADING JEWISH MUSEUM PROJECT|url=http://www.cjnews.com/news/sharp-family-spearheading-jewish-museum-project|accessdate=January 11, 2016|work=Canadian Jewish News|date=September 12, 2014}}</ref> The museum is to feature three themed galleries with artifact and multimedia-based interactives and three immersive environments entitled: Jewish Experience, Jewish Life in Canada and The Neuberger [[Holocaust]] Education Centre.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.reich-petch.com/portfolio/jewish-museum-of-canada|title=R&P Design - Creating Curiosity. Delivering Impact}}</ref>

==Personal life== Sharp married his high school sweetheart, Rosalie Wise, who was also of Jewish descent.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books/about/Rifke.html?id=ecSvNU_7pbQC ''Rifke: An Improbable Life'' by Rosalie Wise Sharp] retrieved March 22, 2013</ref> They had four sons, Jordan, Gregory, Anthony, and Christopher. Christopher, the only one who evinced an interest in going into the family business,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/issys-final-season/article4394291/|title = Issy's final season}}</ref> died of melanoma in 1978. His death at least partly inspired Sharp to support Fox financially during his run. A [[Ty Inc.|Ty]] [[Beanie Baby]] named [[Beanie Baby teddy bears#Issy|Issy]] was produced in 2001 in Christopher's memory.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aboutbeanies.com/display.cgi?bn=00694 |title=Issy (Washington, DC) the Bear Ty Beanie Baby |publisher=Aboutbeanies.com |accessdate=2011-03-10 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101116223104/http://aboutbeanies.com/display.cgi?bn=00694 |archivedate=2010-11-16 }}</ref> All proceeds from American sales went to [[Memorial Sloan–Kettering Cancer Center]] in [[New York City|New York]], while all Canadian proceeds went to the Terry Fox Foundation.

Sharp had a [[net worth]] of [[Can$]]540 million in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://list.canadianbusiness.com/rankings/rich100/2009/displayProfile.aspx?profile=96 |title=The 2009 Rich 100 &#124; Lists |publisher=Canadian Business |date= |accessdate=2011-03-10 }}{{dead link|date=December 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In 2009, Sharp summarized his experience and business philosophy in a book ''Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy'', published by [[Viking Press|Viking]] Canada.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780670069217,00.html# |title=''Four Seasons: The Story of a Business Philosophy'' (Viking, May 2009) |publisher=Penguin.ca |date=2009-04-21 |accessdate=2011-03-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110214134921/http://www.penguin.ca/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780670069217,00.html |archive-date=2011-02-14 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2011, a documentary about Sharp's life and achievements, ''The Four Seasons of Isadore Sharp'', aired on [[City (TV network)|City TV]].

==Directorships== * Honorary Director [[Scotiabank]]<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Magazine |first=Lifestyles |date=2022-03-30 |title=Isadore Sharp – Lifestyles Magazine |url=https://lifestylesmagazine.com/governing-committee/isadore-sharp/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |language=en-CA}}</ref> * Director of Clairvest Group, Inc.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=www.design-studio.co.il |first=Design-Studio |title=DC Finance's Global Family Office and High Net Worth Individual Community |url=https://www.dc-finance.com/mr.-isadore-sharp |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=www.dc-finance.com |language=he}}</ref> * Director of the National [[Terry Fox Run]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Meet the Terry Fox Foundation Board of Members |url=https://terryfox.org/board-of-directors/ |access-date=2023-10-31 |website=The Terry Fox Foundation |language=en-CA}}</ref> * Director of [[Canadian Unity Council]]<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Canada's Walk of Fame |url=https://www.canadaswalkoffame.com/inductee/isadore-sharp/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Canada's Walk of Fame |language=en-CA}}</ref> * Governor of the [[Canadian Centre for Diversity|Canadian Council of Christians and Jews]]<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=News & Announcements |url=https://horatioalger.ca/news-events/news-and-announcements/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Horatio Alger Canada |language=en-US}}</ref> * Honorary Officer of the Board of Directors [[Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto]]<ref name=":3" />

==Honours== * In 2022, he was recognized by the International Hospitality Institute on the Global 100 in Hospitality list, featuring the 100 Most Powerful People in Global.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mix |first=Pulse |date=2022-08-01 |title=Dr Jeffrey Obomeghie and Dupe Olusola among the 100 most powerful people in global hospitality |url=https://www.pulse.ng/business/dr-jeffrey-obomeghie-and-dupe-olusola-among-the-100-most-powerful-people-in-global/3f8n19m |access-date=2022-08-02 |newspaper=[[Pulse Nigeria]]|language=en}}</ref> * In 2013 was awarded the Horatio Alger Award<ref>{{Cite web |title=News & Announcements |url=https://horatioalger.org/news-events/news/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Horatio Alger |language=en-US}}</ref> * In 2011 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Luxury Travel Mart<ref name=":1" /> * In 2010 was inducted into the Hall of Leaders by the US Travel Association<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isadore Sharp to be Inducted into U.S. Travel Hall of Leaders |url=https://www.hospitalitynet.org/news/4047070.html |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Hospitality Net |language=en-us}}</ref> * In 2009 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from [[York University]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=phalfert |date=2009-06-22 |title=Honorary degrees a fitting tribute to York's 50th anniversary |url=https://www.yorku.ca/yfile/2009/06/22/honorary-degrees-a-fitting-tribute-to-yorks-50th-anniversary/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=YFile |language=en-CA}}</ref> * In 2009 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Hotel Investment Fund<ref name=":0" /> * In 2008 was named a Companion to the Order from the [[Canadian Business Hall of Fame]]<ref name=":2" /> (first inducted in 1998) * In 2008 was awarded the Visionary Awards from the Marketing Hall of Legends<ref>{{Cite web |title=ISSY SHARP |url=https://ama-toronto.com/inductees/issy-sharp/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=AMA Toronto |language=en-US}}</ref> * In 2006 was awarded the Business Leader Award from the Ivey Alumni Association/Toronto<ref name=":0" /> * In 2005 was awarded the Outstanding Philanthropist Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Toronto Chapter<ref>{{Cite web |last=Palliwalla |first=Zahra |date=2021-04-21 |title=New Board Members Join The Terry Fox Foundation in our Biggest Try Ever for Cancer Research |url=https://terryfox.org/media-centre/new-board-members-join-the-terry-fox-foundation-in-our-biggest-try-ever-for-cancer-research/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Terry Fox Foundation |language=en-CA}}</ref> * In 2005 was awarded the Honorary Associate Award from The [[Conference Board of Canada]]<ref name=":2" /> * In 2005 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Lodging Investment Summit<ref name=":0" /> * In 2005 was named a Canadian Hotel Industry Icon by the Canadian Hotel Investment Conference<ref name=":2" /> * In 2003 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Ontario Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Program<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rosenzweig |first=Stan |date=2018-01-23 |title=ISADORE SHARP: Exclusive Interview "ON LEADERSHIP LUXURY AND LEGENDARY SERVICE" |url=https://www.mybusinessmagazine.ca/single-post/2016/11/02/isadore-sharp-exclusive-interview-on-leadership-luxury-and-legendary-service-1 |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=MY BUSINESS MAGAZINE |language=en}}</ref> * In 2003 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Commerce degree from [[Toronto Metropolitan University]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isadore Sharp |url=https://www.canadianclub.org/events/isadore-sharp-2/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Canadian Club Toronto |language=en-US}}</ref> (formerly Ryerson University) * In 1999 was awarded the International Distinguished Entrepreneur Award by I.H. Asper School of Business of the [[University of Manitoba]]{{citation needed|date=August 2025}} * In 1999 was awarded the Distinguished Service Award in International Rehabilitation from the New York-based World Rehabilitation Fund<ref name=":0"/> * In 1998 was awarded the Alumni Award of Distinction from Toronto Metropolitan University<ref>{{Cite web |title=Alumni Achievement Awards |url=https://www.torontomu.ca/alumni/awards/alumni-achievement-awards/ |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) |language=en}}</ref> * In 1994 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the [[University of Toronto]]<ref name=":2" /> * In 1993 was made an Officer of the [[Order of Canada]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mr. Isadore Sharp |url=https://www.gg.ca/en/honours/recipients/146-4115 |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=The Governor General of Canada |language=en}}</ref> * In 1992 was named CEO of the Year by the [[Financial Post]] Magazine<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isadore Sharp {{!}} Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership {{!}} University of Houston |url=https://www.uh.edu/hilton-college/about/hospitality-industry-hall-of-honor/inductees/isadore-sharp-/index.php |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=www.uh.edu |language=en}}</ref> * In 1992 was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the [[University of Guelph]]<ref name=":0"/> * In 1983 he was [[Ruth Frankel|Ruth Hartman Frankel]] Humanitarian Award<ref>{{Cite web |title=Isadore Sharp {{!}} Penguin Random House |url=https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/235140/isadore-sharp |access-date=2025-07-29 |website=PenguinRandomhouse.com |language=en-US}}</ref> for his support of [[Terry Fox]] and the subsequent [[Terry Fox Run]].

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== * [https://www.fourseasons.com/about_four_seasons/corporate_bios/isadore_sharp/ Biography of Isadore Sharp] – Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts * {{cite web | title=Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Management Profiles | work=Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts | url=http://www.fourseasons.com/about_us/about_us_14.html | accessdate=April 5, 2005 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050412030253/http://www.fourseasons.com/about_us/about_us_14.html | archive-date=2005-04-12 | url-status=dead }}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharp, Isadore}} [[Category:1931 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Businesspeople from Toronto]] [[Category:Canadian architects]] [[Category:Canadian business writers]] [[Category:Canadian chief executives]] [[Category:Canadian hoteliers]] [[Category:Canadian people of Polish-Jewish descent]] [[Category:Canadian philanthropists]] [[Category:Canadian businesspeople in the real estate industry]] [[Category:Jewish architects]] [[Category:Jewish Canadian non-fiction writers]] [[Category:Officers of the Order of Canada]] [[Category:Toronto Metropolitan University alumni]] [[Category:Writers from Toronto]]