Born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio, Edward J. DeBartolo, Sr. (1909-1994) rose to national prominence as a real estate developer. By accurately predicting America's love affair with the shopping mall, he accrued a large capital base allowing broad diversification within the company. DeBartolo holdings included malls, hotels, horseracing tracks, and two professional sports teams.

DeBartolo's early years were difficult. His father, Anthony Paonessa, died of pneumonia two months before his birth. His mother married Michael DeBartolo in 1911; the young DeBartolo was strongly influenced by his stepfather who was engaged in the Youngstown construction industry. Combined with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Notre Dame and military service in the Army Corps of Engineers during Word War II, he returned home fully prepared to participate in the post-war economic boom.

Often accused of being a workaholic, DeBartolo managed to devote time to his family and community. His marriage in 1943 to Marie Patricia Montani produced two children, Marie Denise and Edward, Jr. Both children assumed leadership positions in the DeBartolo Corporation as adults. Although his philanthropy was felt across the country, Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley were frequent beneficiaries of his largesse.