The U.S. businessman Joel Weinshanker, the chief administrator of Elvis Presley’s rights and properties, has purchased a majority stake in the company that operates Bran Castle—popularly associated with Dracula—from the heirs of Princess Ileana of Romania, the online business news site Profit.ro reported on Friday.
Located in Brasov, a province nestled in the heart of the Transylvania region—about 180 kilometers northwest of Bucharest—this medieval fortress became world-famous thanks to the dark legend of Count Dracula, a sadistic historical figure known as Vlad the Impaler, who inspired Bram Stoker to create the most famous vampire of all time. Paradoxically, the writer never visited Romania, nor did the character himself have any connection to the place, yet it remains the most famous destination for tourists.
This year, the Bran Estate Administration Company (CADB) reached an agreement with a firm controlled by Weinshanker, best known as the administrator of Graceland—the home of the King of Rock and Roll in Memphis—and his entire legacy. The deal was done through the Ad Populum group, a conglomerate specializing in entertainment products, collectibles, costumes, games, and lifestyle brands, which has expanded rapidly in recent years through a series of acquisitions. According to the Romanian media outlet, the transaction took place a few months after a dispute with the company managing the castle’s commercial operations was settled in an arbitration court in the United States. The court ultimately ruled in favor of a full transfer to the heirs of Princess Ileana (1909–1991).
Romania’s most popular tourist destination, which attracts more than a million visitors a year, is now being taken over by this American businessman, who has a broad portfolio that includes brands such as Chia Pet, Wiz Kids and Graceland. Bran Castle has been one of the top tourist attractions in this Eastern European country for many years. The mix of vampires, medieval history and royal heritage have created a unique combination that has captured international attention. According to the latest available data, Bran’s operating company achieved a profit of around €6 million in 2024, a record result in the company’s history, which employs about 80 people.
The castle made its official debut in history through a document issued by King Louis I of Anjou, ruler of Hungary from 1342 to 1382. Through this act, the town of Brasov received the privilege of building a stone fortress designed to protect the Carpathian mountain passes from Ottoman incursions and to strengthen royal control over the trade routes between the regions of Transylvania and Wallachia. Construction of Bran Castle began shortly after 1377 and was completed in the following decade. Over the years, Bran Castle has served as a military fortress (14th–16th centuries), a customs post for trade between Transylvania and Wallachia, the administrative seat of Brasov, a place of refuge during times of conflict, a royal castle in the interwar period, and a museum since 1956.
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