Earl and Margit Worsham share a journey of ambition, love, and resilience
Walking up to the main house atop the Norton Creek preserve, I am excited to see my friends. Earl’s warm smile and friendly chuckle are enough to brighten anyone’s day. We’ve only visited for a moment when Margit appears around the corner with a broad grin on her face. Both of these people are very special, and although they are both humble about the matter, I have yet to determine which is the better fisherman.
Early in my publishing career, I had been invited up to Norton Creek to fish. I met Earl Worsham at his house, and we jumped into the truck to explore. On the way to the creek, we stopped at the guest house that sits atop a small lake once used for hydro-electric generation, and inside found Margit, his wife, on a ladder painting.
Earl wanted to check to see how she was doing. It was my first time meeting this wonderful woman. The words that flowed from her mouth to Earl are ones I will never forget: “I must love you because I am going to stay here and paint while you go fishing with your friend.” For a brief moment I wondered if she was upset, but the warmth of her smile portrayed her kindness and the truth of their love. That was the first day of my journey with the Worshams—it would not be my last.
Their’s is a fascinating story, and I feel honored to have the opportunity to share with our readers. My intention in bringing it to our pages, in particular our people issue, is to give an adequate nod to their accomplishments—though, in truth, I wish I could spend the entire article just recounting their fishing stories; there are many wonderful tales from across the world.
Earl’s story begins in Knoxville in 1932, where he was born into a family that defined hard work and craftsmanship. His father, a contractor who built landmark structures such as the Andrew Johnson Building and the Medical Arts Building, was a significant influence on Earl, he tells me. However, tragedy struck and his father passed away. Earl was only 16. Suddenly, he found himself navigating life and the family’s construction legacy without the guidance of his father.
Despite this challenge, Earl was determined to forge his own path. A pivotal summer at Norton Creek, working alongside his neighbor Doug Hindson, became a defining moment. At the time, Earl and Doug were teenagers, earning fifty cents a day and room and board. But the experience ignited both his fledgling entrepreneurial spirit and his love for Norton Creek—a place he would one day own and cherish.
By age 19, Earl began building his first houses while completing his university studies. This marked the start of his entrepreneurial career, a journey driven by resilience and ambition.
Early Career and the Army
Earl’s drive found its way into every element of his life. He joined the United States Army and trained in counterintelligence. His time in the Army sharpened his analytical skills and gave him a deep understanding of negotiation and strategic planning. Unbeknownst to him at the time, these counterintelligence skills would serve him well in dealing with foreign government officials later in life.
While stationed at the Pentagon, Earl also worked toward a master’s degree in finance at American Univerisity. This dual commitment to service and education reflected his relentless work ethic. “I wrote a term paper about how to build a subdivision of houses,” he recalls. “I came back out of the Army, and I started building.”
That he did, only this time he tackled more ambitious projects. His early venture in converting an old garage into The Greater Tennessee Building became the launchpad for a prolific development career. From there, he built Knoxville’s first Hyatt Regency Hotel and the Hamilton House apartments in Sequoyah Hills. His reputation grew when he collaborated with the University of Tennessee to construct married student housing, including the iconic Laurel Heights buildings.
Expanding Horizons: Miami and Beyond
Earl’s work wasn’t limited to Knoxville. By the 1960s, he was taking on large-scale projects in Miami, where his vision transformed the city’s skyline. Among his accomplishments was a 630-room Hyatt Regency in downtown Miami and the restoration of the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables.
His most significant Miami project involved a billion-dollar venture that included a Hyatt Regency, a convention center, a 60-story office tower designed by architect I.M. Pei, and a connected parking garage.
Though skeptical of the project given the rate of homelessness and lack of infrastructure in Miami at the time, the mayor of the city convinced Earl to compete for the project saying, “Miami isn’t dead; we’re going to revive it.” Earl was on board. He got the bid.
While working in Miami, Earl’s influence extended internationally, thanks to his love of fly fishing. As a board member of the Atlantic Salmon Federation, Earl found himself in Norway, fishing in pristine waters. This passion led to his introduction to Russian fishing grounds on the Kola Peninsula.
The trip, however, turned into a groundbreaking business opportunity when the mayor of Moscow offered Earl the chance to create the first real estate joint venture in Soviet history.
Earl built 16 office buildings in Moscow, navigating the complexities of Soviet bureaucracy. Despite losing ownership due to title manipulation, Earl’s foresight in securing advance rent payments ensured profitability. “I knew going in that they might steal them, but I was prepared,” Earl recounts. “It was still an incredible experience.”
A Love Story Forged by Fishing
Amid his business ventures, the next chapter of Earl’s personal life was beginning to take shape. It was 1982 and his love story with Margit was about the begin. They met during a fishing trip in Norway that year. At the time, Earl was married, and Margit was living her life independently. However, fate had other plans.
By 1991, Earl was divorced, and Margit’s husband had passed. Earl had been trying to get a date with Margit for some time without success. It wasn’t until a chance meeting in Miami in 1994 that their paths converged again.
Even then, things almost went awry. Margit, fresh from a Bahamas fishing trip, arrived in Miami to meet Earl and was mistakenly left waiting in the hotel lobby due to interference from Earl’s ex-wife. When Earl finally found her, Margit was two minutes away from leaving. Margit already had a planned date with the Duke of Earl the next evening while in London for a big conservation meeting, but Earl’s charm convinced her to stay. “I stayed for two days,” she says, chuckling.
Their first date was unforgettable. Earl took Margit to the renowned Joe’s Stone Crab restaurant, bypassing a three-hour wait thanks to his connection to the Maître D. The next day, they sailed together, cementing a bond that would last a lifetime.
Margit had no idea of Earl’s accomplishments during those early days. “While driving, he pointed to a building and casually said, ‘I built that,’” she recalls. “I had no idea of the scale of his work until we spent more time together.”
A Legacy of Ambition
Earl’s career highlights include building more than 100 public housing projects across the Southeast and Puerto Rico, often in collaboration with his partner Melvin Goldberger. These projects, inspired by a federal turnkey housing initiative, addressed critical needs in underserved communities.
In addition to his housing projects, Earl’s work in Miami remains a testament to his visionary approach to urban development. His billion-dollar Hyatt Regency project transformed downtown Miami, proving his ability to balance ambition with execution.
Margit’s Strength and Leadership
While Earl was building cities, Margit was building communities. An advocate for conservation and leadership, she served on numerous boards, often challenging others to think beyond their immediate concerns.
One memorable instance occurred during a leadership meeting where Margit convinced Ken Bell, the head of Dollywood, to remain involved in Sevier County leadership despite his initial reluctance. Her ability to inspire and motivate others became one of her defining traits. She is never afraid to speak her mind, often inspiring others to step outside of their own comfort zone.
Margit’s resilience extended to her personal life. Despite battling cancer multiple times, she’s maintained a positive outlook. Earl credits her attitude with being a source of strength in his own life. “She just keeps going, no matter what,” he says.
Family and Philosophy
Earl and Margit’s life hasn’t just been about business; it has also been about family and connection. They worked to unite Earl’s daughters from his first marriage, hosting gatherings that became cherished traditions. Margit even instituted a family rule: anyone in a bad mood had to take a walk in the woods until they felt better.
Their philosophy of embracing life’s challenges with optimism extends to all they meet. Earl often shares his wisdom with young entrepreneurs, advising them to “keep plugging when things look the worst.” Margit adds: “Live life to the fullest and don’t worry about small things—nobody cares.”
Living Fully
Even in their later years, Earl and Margit have remained active and engaged. Earl has organized golf tournaments and spent winters at their home in the Dominican Republic, while Margit continues her board work and conservation efforts. Their home in Norton Creek has become a sanctuary for friends, family, and guests, filled with laughter, stories, and a host of fishing excursions. For Earl and Margit, life has been about more than accomplishments; it has been about relationships, joy, and leaving the world better than they found it.