14 Facts About Howard Hughes That You Never Knew

Howard Hughes wasn’t just rich—he was ridiculously rich. But unlike your typical billionaire, he didn’t just buy yachts and collect mansions. No, Hughes built the world’s largest wooden airplane, bought entire casinos just to be left alone, and once spent four months locked in a dark room watching the same movie on repeat. His life was a mix of brilliance, madness, and jaw-dropping eccentricity. Think of him as Elon Musk, if Elon Musk also happened to be a full-time hermit with a serious germ phobia.

You might know Hughes as the aviation pioneer, the Hollywood tycoon, or the man Leonardo DiCaprio played in The Aviator, but there’s so much more to this legend. Get ready—here are 14 bizarre, mind-blowing facts about Howard Hughes that you probably never knew.

1. He Built the World’s Largest Wooden Plane

When Hughes set out to build the H-4 Hercules, he wasn’t thinking small. This flying behemoth—nicknamed the “Spruce Goose”—was meant to transport troops during World War II. But thanks to some minor delays (ahem, the war ended), it only flew once—for about a minute. Still, a win is a win!

2. He Set a World Flight Speed Record

In 1935, Hughes flew a specially designed plane at 352 mph, setting a world speed record. That’s right—while most people were still figuring out how to drive, Hughes was outpacing fighter jets before they were even a thing.

3. He Once Survived a Near-Fatal Plane Crash

In 1946, Hughes crashed a prototype aircraft into a Beverly Hills neighborhood. He survived—but just barely—thanks to a local Marine who dragged him out of the wreckage. Doctors had to use coconut milk as a blood plasma substitute to keep him alive. Talk about tropical life support!

4. He Bought a Whole Casino Just to Get Some Privacy

Hughes moved into the Desert Inn in Las Vegas and—after management tried to kick him out—he simply bought the hotel. Problem solved. He then went on a Vegas shopping spree, buying up casinos, TV stations, and even an airline.

5. He Had an Extreme Fear of Germs

Hughes was so afraid of germs that he reportedly burned his own clothes if he thought they were contaminated. He also had staff wear gloves when handling anything he might touch. If he were around today, he’d have been the king of hand sanitizer sales.

6. He Watched the Same Movie on Repeat for Months

Ice Station Zebra (1968) - Trailer HD 1080p

At one point, Hughes locked himself in a dark room and watched “Ice Station Zebra” on loop for four months straight. If that’s not dedication, I don’t know what is.

7. He Designed a Revolutionary Hospital Bed

After his crash, Hughes had very particular demands about how his hospital bed should function. When doctors couldn’t find one that met his exact specifications, he designed one himself. Who needs WebMD when you’re Howard Hughes?

8. He Helped Launch the CIA’s Most Secretive Project

The CIA wanted to retrieve a sunken Soviet submarine from the Pacific Ocean but needed a cover story. Hughes, to cover up, claimed he was using a massive ship, the Glomar Explorer, to mine the seafloor. The cover worked—until the press got wind of it. Oops.

9. He Once Lived in a Screening Room for Four Months

Hughes had an entire screening room filled with tissue boxes, milk bottles, and movies, and he didn’t leave it for months. You thought your quarantine was rough?

10. He Wrote a Memoir—That Wasn’t Real

In the 1970s, an author claimed he was working with Hughes on a memoir. The problem? Hughes never actually spoke to him. The hoax unraveled when Hughes—who hadn’t been heard from in years—called a press conference (via phone, of course) to deny everything.

11. He Bought a TV Station to Stop It from Airing Certain Shows

Disliking a show? Most people change the channel. Hughes? He bought the whole TV station and ordered it to never air shows he didn’t like. That’s next-level remote control power.

12. He Once Went to War with the U.S. Air Force

Hughes developed the XF-11, a reconnaissance aircraft, but the Air Force kept rejecting his modifications. Never one to back down, Hughes simply built the plane his way anyway. It crashed. Oops again.

13. His Fortune Was a Mystery

At the time of his death in 1976, Hughes was worth an estimated $2 billion (about $10 billion today). But thanks to a lifetime of secrecy, lawsuits, and fake wills, it took more than 34 years to settle his estate.

14. He Spent His Final Years in Total Isolation

Hughes’ later years were spent hidden away in hotels across the world, surrounded by only a handful of aides. By the time he passed, he was unrecognizable, weighing just 90 pounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Howard Hughes

1. Who was Howard Hughes?

Howard Hughes was an American business magnate, aviator, film producer, and philanthropist. He became one of the wealthiest men in the world, known for his aviation achievements, Hollywood films, and reclusive lifestyle.

2. What is Howard Hughes famous for?

Howard Hughes is famous for his contributions to aviation, record-breaking flights, Hollywood filmmaking, and eccentric reclusiveness. He founded Hughes Aircraft Company, directed classic films like Hell’s Angels (1930), and built the massive but impractical Spruce Goose airplane.

3. How did Howard Hughes make his money?

Hughes inherited Hughes Tool Company from his father and expanded his fortune through investments in aviation, real estate, and entertainment. His business empire included Hughes Aircraft, TWA Airlines, and vast real estate holdings.

4. Did Howard Hughes have children?

No, Howard Hughes did not have any children. Despite multiple relationships and marriages, he never fathered any offspring.

5. Why did Howard Hughes become a recluse?

Hughes suffered from obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and chronic pain from multiple plane crashes. His condition worsened over time, leading him to live in isolation in hotels worldwide.

6. What happened to Howard Hughes’ fortune?

After his death in 1976, Hughes' fortune was contested in one of the largest estate battles in history. The Howard Hughes Medical Institute, which he had founded, became the primary beneficiary of his wealth.

7. What companies did Howard Hughes own?

Hughes owned and controlled several major companies, including:

• Hughes Aircraft Company (Aerospace & Defense)
• Hughes Tool Company (Oil & Drilling Equipment)
• TWA Airlines (Trans World Airlines)
• Howard Hughes Corporation (Real Estate)

8. What planes did Howard Hughes design?

Hughes was involved in designing and piloting several aircraft, including:

• Hughes H-1 Racer – Set speed records in the 1930s
• Hughes XF-11 – Experimental reconnaissance aircraft
• Hughes H-4 Hercules ("Spruce Goose") – The largest wooden airplane ever built, which flew only once

9. What movies did Howard Hughes produce?

Hughes produced and directed several major films, including:

• Hell’s Angels (1930) – A groundbreaking aviation war film
• Scarface (1932) – A classic gangster film
• The Outlaw (1943) – Famous for its controversial marketing

10. How did Howard Hughes die?

Hughes died on April 5, 1976, at age 70, due to kidney failure caused by malnutrition and neglect. His reclusive lifestyle contributed to his declining health.

11. What is the Howard Hughes Medical Institute?

The Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) is a research organization founded by Hughes in 1953. It became one of the world's largest philanthropic institutions for biomedical research.

12. Where is Howard Hughes buried?

Howard Hughes is buried at Glenwood Cemetery in Houston, Texas, alongside his family.

13. What was Howard Hughes’ net worth?

At the time of his death, Hughes’ net worth was estimated at $2.5 billion (equivalent to over $11 billion today), making him one of the wealthiest people of his era.

14. What are some books and movies about Howard Hughes?

Books

• Howard Hughes: His Life and Madness by Donald L. Barlett and James B. Steele
• Empire: The Life, Legend, and Madness of Howard Hughes by Donald L. Barlett

Movies

1. The Aviator (2004) – Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Hughes’ life and struggles