George Argyros Jr., son of former ambassador, dies of cardiac arrest at 55

Aug. 29--The son of Orange County billionaire philanthropists George and Julia Argyros died Friday, Aug. 28, at Hoag Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest, the family announced.

George L. Argyros Jr. was surrounded by his close family when he passed. He was 55.

Argyros was an attorney as well as the founder and chief executive officer of several business ventures, including The Argyros Group, turnkey life insurance financial provider Leveraged Life, Inc., and insurance industry holding company Elite Financial Group, LLC, according to his Muck Rack profile.

He was born Feb. 5, 1965, in Orange and attended Corona del Mar High School, said a family statement. He went on to graduate from Chapman Law School in 1999. Besides becoming an entrepreneur, Argyros supported several causes, including the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, City of Hope and Mariners Christian School in Costa Mesa.

He is survived by his parents, his wife, Shannon, son, George Leon III, his two sisters, Stephanie Argyros and Lisa Argyros, and many nephews, nieces and friends. Because of concerns over COVID-19, funeral services will be private.

Real estate developer George Argyros Sr. in 2001 was appointed by George W. Bush as ambassador to Spain. During the 1980s, he was owner of the Seattle Mariners baseball team.

He and wife Julia are known for their philanthropy, especially for the arts in Orange County. They donated $13.5 million to Segerstrom Center for the Arts in 2015 -- a plaza there named for them regularly features free art events -- and they have supported several other arts and culture organizations in the county.

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