Thomas Pritzker announced his resignation as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels on Monday, admitting he showed poor judgment by maintaining relationships with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The 75-year-old hotel executive said he deeply regrets his association with the convicted sex offenders and will not seek board re-election in 2026.
The longtime leader of Hyatt Hotels announced his departure Monday, saying he made serious mistakes by continuing relationships with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislane Maxwell after their criminal activities became known.
Thomas Pritzker, age 75, revealed he will resign from his role as executive chairman and will not pursue another term on the company’s board when his current position expires in 2026. He made the announcement in a formal letter to Hyatt’s board of directors.
“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,” Pritzker stated in his announcement.
Pritzker has held the executive chairman position for two decades, beginning in 2004. During his leadership, he oversaw significant milestones for the hotel chain, including its initial public offering, implementing a business model focused on reducing property ownership, and guiding the company through challenges brought by the coronavirus pandemic.
Recent releases of internal Justice Department files concerning Epstein have exposed the deceased financier’s extensive network of relationships with influential figures across various sectors, including government, business, higher education, and finance. Many of these connections continued even after Epstein’s 2008 guilty plea to charges involving prostitution and soliciting a minor.
Court proceedings and criminal investigations have provided additional details about these relationships. Federal authorities arrested Epstein again in 2019 on charges related to trafficking minors for sexual exploitation. He died by suicide in a New York City detention facility later that year while awaiting trial.