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New Orleans Pelicans and Saints owner Tom Benson passes away, leaves wife Gayle Benson to assume team controls

After a lengthy battle with the flu, Tom Benson has passed away peacefully at the Oschner Medical Center. He was 90 years old and leaves behind his wife, Gayle Marie Benson, an adopted daughter, Renee Benson, and Renee’s two children, Rita and Ryan LeBlanc.

Benson was reportedly the richest man in Louisiana, worth approximately $3.0 billion, and the owner of New Orleans Saints and New Orleans Pelicans. In addition, he was affiliated with dozens of foundations and was known for donating millions of dollars to education, medial research and other charitable causes.