Mari Hulman George
Chairperson of Indianapolis Motor Speedway for 28 years.
via Wikipedia: Mari Hulman George · see source
Mari Hulman George, born Mary Antonia "Mari" Hulman on December 26, 1934, was the only child of Anton "Tony" Hulman and Mary Fendrich Hulman, prominent Indiana philanthropists and business owners. She served as chairperson of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from 1988 to 2016, and also chaired Hulman & Company. Mari died on November 3, 2018, as announced by the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Quick Facts
- Birth name
- Mary Antonia Hulman
- Born
- 26 December 1934
- Died
- 3 November 2018
- Birthplace
- Evansville, Indiana, U.S.
- Place of death
- Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
- Education
- St. Mary-of-the-Woods College
- Employer
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Hulman & Company
- Spouse
- Elmer George (1957–1976)
Facts from the source article.
Family
Mari was the Hulmans' only child. From age eleven she was often surrounded by families of Indianapolis 500 drivers, whom she befriended. She married driver Elmer George on April 29, 1957, becoming stepmother to his children from his first marriage at age 22. The couple had four children together: daughters Nancy, Josie, and Kathi, and son Anton Hulman George, known as Tony. Elmer George retired from racing in 1963 and later became a Speedway vice-president and head of the IMS Radio Network. The couple owned a farm outside Terre Haute and a 1300-acre ranch in Wyoming. Mari filed for divorce in May 1976. Four weeks later, on the day of that year's Indianapolis 500, Elmer was shot and killed by Guy Trollinger, the family's horse trainer and Mari's alleged boyfriend, after an argument at the Terre Haute ranch.
Chairperson
When Mary F. Hulman's health declined, she retired and was named chairman emeritus, a position she held until her death in 1998. The chairmanship passed to Mari Hulman George in 1988, and she held it until summer 2016. Shortly after the 2016 Indianapolis 500, facing declining health, she was elected chairman emeritus, and her son Tony George became chairman. From 1997 to 2015, Mari officially started the Indianapolis 500 and Brickyard 400 with the command '(Ladies and) Gentlemen, start your engines! In 2014 she was joined by Jim Nabors, and for the 100th running in 2016 by the entire Hulman/George family. She had also given the command as a substitute for her mother in 1981.
Philanthropist and lover of animals
Mari Hulman George was widely recognized in Indiana for her philanthropy toward colleges, particularly St. Mary-of-the-Woods College, which named its equine studies school after her, inspired by her passion for horses. In 2001, a search-and-rescue training site at Camp Atterbury was renamed in her honor for her work helping animals during disasters. She also supported the rescue and adoption of retired racing greyhounds.
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Mari Hulman George born?
Mari Hulman George was born on 26 December 1934 in Evansville, Indiana, U.S.
When did Mari Hulman George die?
Mari Hulman George died on 3 November 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
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