Hyatt’s Tom Pritzker Retires, Cites ‘Terrible Judgment’ in Epstein Relationship

Key Points

• Tom Pritzker retired as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels, citing regret for his association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
• Justice Department files revealed Pritzker exchanged emails with Epstein from 2010 to 2019, and he was named in testimony by Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre, which he denied.
• Current CEO Mark Hoplamazian will assume the combined role of Chairman and CEO, while the Pritzker family remains Hyatt’s controlling shareholder.

Summary

Tom Pritzker has retired as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels, citing the need for responsible stewardship amid scrutiny over his past associations with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Justice Department files revealed regular correspondence between Pritzker and Epstein, and an Epstein accuser also named Pritzker in her testimony, claims he denies. Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt’s current CEO, will now also serve as chairman, with the Pritzker family retaining control of the company.