Executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation and the cousin of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, Thomas Pritzker, stepped down from his position due to his affiliation with Jeffrey Epstein.
“My job and responsibility is to provide good stewardship. That is important to me. Good stewardship includes ensuring a proper transition at Hyatt. Following discussions with my fellow Board members, I have decided, after serving as Executive Chairman since 2004, and with the company in a strong position, that now is the right time for me to retire from Hyatt,” Pritzker said in a statement. “Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret. I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner. I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”
In a letter to the Board of Hyatt, Pritzker wrote that the company is “coming to a point where we must face the prospect of succession,” highlighting the need for “good stewardship.”
“When I look at my care for Hyatt, my respect for good governance and the focus that Margot and I have on our legacy, they all lead me to conclude that what is right for Hyatt and for me is that I retire as Executive Chairman of Hyatt effective immediately and not stand for reelection at our 2026 annual shareholder’s meeting,” he wrote.
Pritzker’s resignation is the latest high-profile drop amid the fallout from Epstein connections.
