Tom Pritzker Resigns as Hyatt Chairman Amid Epstein Controversy
Tom Pritzker, the billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotels legacy, announced on Monday that he is resigning from his position as chairman of the company’s board. This decision follows the recent release of files linking him to the late financier and convicted sex offender, Jeffrey Epstein.
In a letter to Hyatt’s board, Pritzker stated he is stepping down immediately to show “good stewardship” after more than two decades with the company. He also noted that he will not be seeking re-election at Hyatt’s annual shareholder meeting in May.
“Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, and I am incredibly disappointed with the recent developments, particularly regarding Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell,” the 75-year-old expressed in his statement.
Pritzker admitted to making “poor decisions” in maintaining his connections with Epstein and Maxwell, acknowledging there’s “no excuse for not distancing myself sooner.”
He condemned the damage inflicted by Epstein, who took his own life in 2019 while facing child prostitution charges, as well as his associate Maxwell.
The newly released files indicate Pritzker had maintained regular communication with Epstein following Epstein’s 2008 plea deal related to sex charges.
His resignation comes amid a broader wave of departures and public scrutiny of prominent leaders in business and politics due to their associations with Epstein.
In one email from 2018, Pritzker offered assistance to Epstein’s girlfriend, Karina Schliak, in organizing a trip to Southeast Asia, curious about her plans for the journey.
Schliak mentioned she might help Epstein find a new girlfriend, prompting Pritzker to respond with a smiley face emoji and the phrase, “May the force be with you.”
Pritzker and Epstein also frequently communicated about meals and appointments, including meetings at Epstein’s Manhattan residence, as well as discussions about an invitation to the prestigious Pritzker Prize ceremony in Beijing.
The Pritzker family is among the wealthiest in the U.S., with an estimated fortune of $41 billion, according to Forbes in 2024.
This wealth originates from Jay Pritzker’s expansion of the Hyatt Hotels Corporation and earlier efforts by A.N. Pritzker, who established the family’s financial and legal foundations.
Tom Pritzker is related to Illinois’ Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and Penny Pritzker, president of Harvard University, who also served as the Secretary of Commerce under President Obama.
Hyatt announced on Monday that CEO Mark Hoplamazian will take over as executive chairman, effective immediately.
“Tom’s leadership has been crucial in shaping Hyatt’s direction and future growth, and we appreciate his dedication,” stated Richard Tuttle, Chairman of the Board’s Governance Committee.
Hoplamazian remarked that Pritzker’s resignation “demonstrates his stewardship and commitment to Hyatt over many years.”
Hyatt’s turmoil follows recent actions by sports and entertainment executive Casey Wasserman, who put his talent marketing firm up for sale after it’s revealed that he exchanged flirtatious emails with Maxwell. Maxwell is not the only public figure under scrutiny for links to Epstein; last week, Dubai businessman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem resigned from his role at DP World after similar emails surfaced.
