7 Secrets Of Irving Link: The Real Estate Mogul Who Ruled The Beverly Hills Hotel Pool For 42 Years

Irving V. Link, a name synonymous with the golden age of Beverly Hills glamour, remains one of the area’s most enigmatic and enduring legends. His story is not just one of successful real estate investment; it is the tale of a man who turned his daily routine into a decades-long performance piece, becoming a beloved, tanned fixture at the world-famous Beverly Hills Hotel pool. As of today, December 14, 2025, his legacy continues to be discussed in retrospectives, representing a lost era of old-school Hollywood elegance and a stark contrast to the modern celebrity scene.

This deep dive explores the fascinating and complex life of Irving Link, from his humble beginnings and successful real estate career to his unexpected role in one of America’s most high-profile labor trials, and the dramatic reason he was forced to abandon his sun-drenched throne after 42 years.

Irving V. Link: A Life of Real Estate, Glamour, and Intrigue

Irving V. Link was more than a man who simply frequented a luxury hotel; he was a self-made real estate investor, a sharp gin rummy player, and a man whose meticulous daily routine made him an institution. His life spanned over a century, witnessing the transformation of Beverly Hills from a burgeoning enclave of wealth into a global symbol of luxury.

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• Full Name: Irving V. Link
• Born: 1906
• Family Origin: His family, with the exception of Irving, was originally from Vienna, Austria.
• Early Career: Started working at age six with a pair of umbrellas in New York.
• Move to Los Angeles: Moved from Manhattan to Los Angeles in 1945.
• Primary Profession: Successful Real Estate Investor and Pioneer Realtor.
• Notable Hangout: The pool and The Polo Lounge at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
• Famous Routine: Spent 42 years daily at the Beverly Hills Hotel pool, playing gin rummy.
• Later Residence: Moved to the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills after the Beverly Hills Hotel closed for renovation and changed ownership.
• Date of Death: December 31, 2007, at the age of 101.
• Nickname: "The Last Gentleman of Beverly Hills."

The 42-Year Reign at the Beverly Hills Hotel Pool

Irving Link’s most famous chapter is undoubtedly his four-decade tenure at the Beverly Hills Hotel, affectionately known as "The Pink Palace." This was not just a casual visit; it was a highly structured, almost ritualistic daily performance that cemented his status as a local legend.

1. The Meticulous Daily Routine

For 42 years, Link’s schedule was nearly immutable. He would arrive at the hotel, have breakfast, and then take up his position by the pool, where he would sunbathe and play gin rummy. He was known for his impeccable dress sense—always tanned, always dashing, and always a gentleman.

2. The Pool as a Second Office and Home

The pool area and The Polo Lounge served as Irving Link’s social and professional hub. It was here that he conducted business, networked with Hollywood elite, and played his favorite game, gin rummy, often for high stakes. His presence was so consistent and integral that he was considered a true "fixture" of the establishment, as much a part of the hotel’s ambiance as the palm trees and pink stucco.

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3. The Real Estate Empire

Link transitioned into real estate at the age of 48, finding immense success in the industry. His business activities were often conducted in the glamorous settings of the Friars Club and the Beverly Hills Hotel, placing him at the intersection of wealth, power, and entertainment. He was a pioneer realtor whose wisdom and business acumen were highly respected in the Beverly Hills 90210 community.

The Shocking Connection to the James Hoffa Trial

Beyond the glamour of the Beverly Hills Hotel, Irving Link had a surprising and serious connection to one of the most significant labor and organized crime stories in American history: the trial of Teamsters Union President James R. Hoffa. This little-known fact adds a layer of unexpected intrigue to his otherwise sun-drenched life.

4. The Government Witness

In the 1960s, Irving Link was called upon to serve as a government witness in the James Hoffa trial. He testified in the Federal Building, placing the suave Beverly Hills socialite directly into the complex and dangerous world of labor racketeering investigations. Link's testimony was a crucial element in the legal proceedings against Hoffa, which eventually led to the Teamsters leader's conviction and, later, his infamous disappearance.

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5. The End of an Era: The Sultan of Brunei and the Move

Irving Link's idyllic life at the Beverly Hills Hotel came to an abrupt end in the 1990s. The hotel was acquired by the Sultan of Brunei, and the new ownership decided to close the iconic property for an extensive, four-year renovation. This decision threatened Link's meticulously crafted daily life. When the hotel finally reopened in 1996, the atmosphere, and perhaps the ownership, had changed too much for the "Last Gentleman."

Instead of returning to his old haunt, Link moved his daily routine to the newly opened and equally luxurious Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. He continued his ritual there, proving that his lifestyle was not dependent on one location, but was a performance piece he carried with him.

Irving Link's Enduring Legacy in Beverly Hills

Irving Link lived to the remarkable age of 101, passing away on December 31, 2007. His death marked the true end of an era, solidifying his status as a figure of historical significance in the cultural landscape of Los Angeles.

6. The Last Gentleman of Beverly Hills

Link was often described as "one of the last gentlemen in Beverly Hills." He embodied a particular kind of old-world charm, elegance, and decorum that many felt was disappearing in the face of the new, fast-paced, and casual Hollywood entertainment business. The *LA Times* noted that the new Beverly Hills was dominated by "whiz kids who dine in T-shirts and jeans," a world Link felt lacked glamour. His adherence to classic style and manners made him a living, breathing symbol of a bygone time.

7. The Performance Piece

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Link’s legacy is the interpretation of his routine as "one of the great performance pieces in Los Angeles history." His consistent, decades-long presence and flawless presentation were seen as an art form, a deliberate creation of a persona that was a true California type—a sun-tanned, gin-rummy-playing, successful man who was always in the right place at the right time. His life serves as a fascinating lens through which to view the social history and evolving culture of Beverly Hills.

The story of Irving Link—the real estate mogul, the Hoffa witness, and the king of the pool—offers a rare glimpse into the luxurious, yet complex, underbelly of one of the world's most famous zip codes. His life reminds us that true glamour is often found not in fleeting fame, but in the meticulous, decades-long dedication to a self-crafted life.