How Michiganders Can Celebrate Marian Ilitch Day On May 8

How cool is this? On May 8, Michiganders will be celebrating Marian Ilitch. But how does one go about celebrating? According to Ilitch Companies, throughout the state people are encouraged to visit local small businesses and support the "backbone of the state’s economy." This day also coincides with the 65^th anniversary of Little Caesars.

Last June, during an event celebrating the lifetime achievements of Marian Ilitch, Governor Gretchen Whitmer declared May 8 as "Marian Ilitch Day," in recognition of having "dedicated her life to entrepreneurship, community development, and fostering economic growth within our state."

Marian Ilitch and her husband Mike Ilitch opened the first Little Caesars restaurant on May 8, 1959 in Garden City, Michigan. Little Caesars has grown into the third-largest pizza chain the world, expanding from that single store to restaurants in each of the 50 U.S. states and 28 countries and territories. 

"My mother’s dedication to nurturing entrepreneurial spirit, fostering innovation and championing small businesses has been such an inspiration to me and the thousands of Little Caesars’ franchisees and colleagues across our organization," said Ilitch Companies CEO, Chris Ilitch.

"We have the power across all our businesses to improve lives and contribute to thriving communities, and the core values of hard work, integrity and humility passed down from my mother remain the foundation of our companies."

The company of course will be hosting an event for internal colleagues on May 8. But Michigan residents are encouraged to support local small businesses. The company suggests celebrating at the District Detroit. It’s home to a variety of locally-owned businesses in Michigan, such as  Good Cakes and Bakes, Basan, Detroit Vs Everybody, Sahara Restaurant and Grill, and Union Assembly.  

Ilitch Companies is one of the global leaders in the food, sports, entertainment, gaming, and other industries. Its companies include Little Caesars, Blue Line Distribution, Detroit Red Wings, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, Detroit Tigers, Olympia Development, Champion Foods, MotorCity Casino Hotel, 313 Presents, Ocean Casino Resort, and others.

Last year eight people from Michigan made the Forbes 2023 list of the wealthiest Americans. The wife of the late pizza mogul Mike Ilitch came in at 285 on the list. At the time, Forbes listed her net worth at $4 billion.

Marian is a first-generation American, the daughter of Macedonian immigrants. She is one of four children, born in Dearborn to parents Sam and Mitra Bayoff. She has been recognized as one of the most successful businesswomen in the country.

According to the company's website, Marian’s first paying job was at SS Kresge in Dearborn, where she often shopped with her mother. Before marrying her husband and lifetime business partner, Mike Ilitch, Marian worked as a reservation clerk for what would become Delta Airlines in Detroit. Not long after meeting, she and Mike were married. They eventually would become parents to seven children, 21 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Over the years, many celebrities have purchased a home, or even two, in Michigan. Some Michigan homeowners over the years include Muhammad Ali, who had an 81-acre property in Berrien Springs. Or the late Aretha Franklin owned a home in Detroit. Of course, we can’t leave out the late film critic Robert Ebert who had a home in Harbert. There's Berry Gordy’s "Motown Mansion," and the countless of athletes throughout the Mitten.

Most recently, celebrities like Kid Rock, Michael Moore, and Ted Nugent have sold their Michigan homes. However, this doesn’t mean that other celebrities have jumped ship. A few celebrities still own homes in Michigan.

Here are four celebrities with homes in Michigan.

Eminem is an icon in the world of hip-hop and a Michigan native. Aside from his music career, he appeared in a movie you obviously know, “8 Mile.” One of Eminem’s first jobs was as a cook at a restaurant called Gilbert’s Lodge in St. Clair Shores. So, where does he live now? According to reports, he has one home in Clinton Township and one in Rochester Hills that recently sold.

Danny Brown is well-known in the alternative hip-hop scene. He is from the Dexter-Linwood area of Detroit. He told NPR during an interview that he started rapping in Kindergarten. In a 2016 interview with Vice, Brown shared that he lives in Farmington Hills. “I got deers in my backyard. And I got walnut trees growing and sh*t,” said Brown “Real like outdoorsman type sh*t like log cabin fireplace always running.”

Bob Seger started his career in the '60s and became a major star in the '70s. He recently went on his farewell tour. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2004 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2012. Seger continues to perform and record. Currently, he lives on La Playa Lane in Orchard Lake.

Professional skateboarder Tony Hawk has a home in the Woodbridge area of Detroit. Hawk does not live in the house. Detroit Free Press reported that he did not move to the city but that he “wanted to put their money and their stamp on the city,” said Jim Tumey, a senior commercial at The Loft Warehouse at the time.