Donald Pritzker
| Donald Pritzker | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Donald N. Pritzker October 31, 1932 Chicago, Illinois |
| Died |
May 6, 1972 (aged 39) Honolulu, Hawaii |
| Nationality | United States |
| Alma mater |
B.A. Harvard University J.D. University of Chicago |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | President of the Hyatt Corporation |
| Spouse(s) |
Sue Sandel (m. 1958; his death 1972) |
| Children |
Penny Pritzker Anthony Pritzker Jay Robert Pritzker |
| Parent(s) |
Abram Nicholas Pritzker Fanny Doppelt |
Donald N. Pritzker (October 31, 1932 – May 6, 1972) was an American entrepreneur, businessman, and member of the wealthy Pritzker family.
Early life and education
Pritzker was born to a Jewish family[1] in Chicago, Illinois, the son of a Fanny (née Doppelt) and A.N. Pritzker. He had two older brothers: Jay Pritzker (1922 - 1999) and Robert Pritzker (1926 - 2011).[2] Pritzker studied at the Francis W. Parker School and graduated with a B.A. from Harvard University and a J.D. from the law school at the University of Chicago.[3]
Career
In 1961, after he graduated from law school, he went to work for the family company, the Marmon Group.[4] His elder brother Jay Pritzker assigned him the task of managing the Hyatt Hotel chain.[4] Donald moved to Atherton, California and went about developing the chain and soon became Hyatt's president. In 1967, the Pritzkers bought a newly built hotel in downtown Atlanta out of bankruptcy which had an unusual design consisting of a 21 story atrium lobby with external glass elevators, fountains, and caged tropical birds. Donald renamed it the Hyatt Regency Atlanta; it became an instant success and served as the architectural model for all future Hyatt hotels.[4]
Donald was credited with "setting the tone for the culture and philosophy at Hyatt" and presided over its growth from a six hotel chain to the 5th largest hotel chain in the world at the time of his death.[4]
Personal life and death
On June 10 1958, Donald Pritzker married Sue Sandel (1932–1982),[5] daughter of Albert L. Sandel (1902–1967) and Dorothy J. Craig (1904–1998).[6] She also studied at the Francis W. Parker School and graduated from Radcliffe College.[6] They had three children:[4]
- Penny Pritzker (born 1959), the 38th United States Secretary of Commerce[7]
- Anthony Pritzker (born 1961), managing partner of the Pritzker Group.[8][9]
- Jay Robert Pritzker (born 1965), managing partner of the Pritzker Group.[10] and the 512th richest person in the world.[11]
Pritzker died in 1972 at age 39 of a heart attack while playing tennis at a Hyatt hotel in Honolulu.[4][12] His wife died 10 years later in an accident at age 49.[5]
References
- ↑ The Economist: "Jay Pritzker, pioneer of the modern hotel chain, died on January 23rd, aged 76" January 28, 1999
- ↑ New York Times: "Jay Pritzker, Who Built Chain Of Hyatt Hotels, Is Dead at 76" By ANTHONY RAMIREZ January 25, 1999
- ↑ Chicago Magazine: "Tremors in the Empire" By Shane Tritsch December 2002
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Los Angeles Times: "Rooms With a View : Chance Encounter Led to Creation of Rapidly Expanding Hyatt Hotels Chain' by NANCY RIVERA BROOKS November 24, 1987
- 1 2 Chicago Tribune: "Mishap kills Sue Pritzker, widow of Hyatt Hotel founder, at age 49" May 8, 1982
- 1 2 Ancestry.com Wedding Announcement
- ↑ Jewish Daily Forward: "Penny Pritzker, Jewish Hotel Heiress, Tapped for Commerce Job – Mike Froman Gets Trade Representative Nod" May 2, 2013
- ↑ BusinessWeek profile
- ↑ Milken Institute biography
- ↑ Forbes Magazine Staff (September 2014). "Jay Robert (J.B.) Pritzker". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
- ↑ Forbes Magazine Staff (September 2014). "Jay Robert (J.B.) Pritzker". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
- ↑ Times, Special To The New York (9 May 1972). "DONALD N. PRITZKER". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 October 2016.