Stanley Chera

Stanley Isaac Chera (October 22, 1942 – April 11, 2020) was an American billionaire, businessman and investor. The founder of Crown Acquisitions. Born in Brooklyn to a Syrian Jewish family, Chera started purchasing real estate in New York City in the 1980s, first as a minority partner and later in the 2000s as the lead developer. In 2017, his net worth was estimated at $4 billion.

Chera had a wife and three sons. Chera died due to complications brought on by COVID-19.

Early life Chera was born on October 22, 1942, in Brooklyn, New York City, to a Syrian Jewish family. In 1947, and also the retail portion of the St. Regis Hotel in a joint venture with Lloyd Goldman and Jeffrey Feil for $380 million. In 2010, he began the restoration of The Knickerbocker Hotel in Manhattan. In 2012, Chera purchased 49.9% interest in a four-building Fifth Avenue portfolio that included the Olympic Tower for $1 billion from the Alexander S. Onassis Public Benefit Foundation.

In June 2013, Chera purchased 650 Madison Avenue for $1.3 billion in partnership with Highgate Holdings from the Carlyle Group. Chera had a conservative investment strategy borrowing no more than 25–35% of the purchase price

Personal life Chera and his wife Frieda, nicknamed "Cookie", had three sons: Isaac "Ike", Haim, and Richard, all active in the family business. Chera was a leader in the Brooklyn Sephardic Jewish community. Chera was an associate and friend of Donald Trump, and donated to the Trump Victory Committee.

Death Chera was hospitalized for an unknown illness in March 2020 and later tested positive for COVID-19. Prior to his hospitalization, he had relocated to his home in Deal, New Jersey. Chera entered a coma the following week and died on April 11, 2020. His wife also contracted the virus, but recovered. described Chera's death as having a high impact on his thinking:

When Trump contracted COVID-19 himself, he was reported to have asked if he was "going out like Stan Chera".