Hyatt Hotels Chairman Thomas Pritzker Steps Down Amid Epstein Ties
Billionaire Thomas Pritzker has resigned as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation following the surfacing of his long-standing association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and his associate, Ghislaine Maxwell. The announcement, made on February 17, 2026, comes after recently released U.S. Justice Department files revealed extensive contact between Pritzker and Epstein even after Epstein’s 2008 conviction on sex crime charges.
Pritzker’s Statement and Resignation
In a statement released Monday, Pritzker, 75, acknowledged exercising “terrible judgement” in maintaining contact with Epstein and Maxwell. He expressed deep regret over the association and stated he would not seek re-election to the Hyatt board at the company’s 2026 annual stockholder meeting. BBC News and Al Jazeera both reported on the resignation.
“Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret,” Pritzker said. “I exercised terrible judgement in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner.”
Background on Thomas Pritzker
Thomas Pritzker, born June 6, 1950, is a member of the prominent Pritzker family and a billionaire businessman. He served as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels since 2004. According to Wikipedia, he is also the former chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of the Pritzker Organization (TPO), which manages the family’s business assets. He previously held the position of President of Hyatt Corporation in 1980 and became its Chairman and CEO in 1999, serving in that role until December 2006.
The Epstein Connection
The recently unsealed court documents revealed regular contact between Pritzker and Epstein in the years following Epstein’s 2008 plea deal. The extent of Epstein’s network of high-profile individuals has approach under increased scrutiny following the release of these files. Maxwell was convicted in 2021 for her role in luring underage girls for Epstein, and Epstein died by suicide while in custody in 2019 facing sex trafficking charges.
Hyatt’s Response
Pritzker stated that his decision to step down was made after discussions with fellow board members to ensure a proper transition for the company. He emphasized the importance of protecting Hyatt’s reputation in light of his association with Epstein and Maxwell.
Future Outlook
Pritzker, who will turn 76 this year, indicated that Hyatt is in a “strong and sustainable position” and capable of thriving. The company has not yet announced a successor for the executive chairman role.