Hyatt chair Thomas Pritzker steps down over Epstein links

Billionaire Thomas Pritzker resigned from his position as executive chair of the Hyatt hotel chain. The resignation follows the surfacing of information regarding Pritzker's continued association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Pritzker acknowledged his "terrible judgment" in maintaining contact with Epstein and Maxwell, who was convicted for her involvement in the recruitment and grooming of underage girls. The decision to step down comes after increased scrutiny of Pritzker's relationship with the pair. The timing of the resignation was not specified in the article.

Thomas Pritzker, chairman of Hyatt Hotels since 2004, has stepped down after his connections to Jeffrey Epstein surfaced in recently released documents. Pritzker stated he regretted his association with Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, acknowledging his "terrible judgement" in maintaining contact after Epstein's 2008 conviction. The released files revealed Pritzker's regular contact with Epstein in the years following the financier's plea deal on sex crime charges. Pritzker cited his age and the company's strong position as contributing factors in his decision, emphasizing his responsibility to ensure a smooth transition. Mark Hoplamazian, Hyatt's president and CEO, will succeed Pritzker as chairman. The release of the Epstein files has led to scrutiny of numerous prominent figures, though appearing in the documents does not imply wrongdoing.

Thomas Pritzker is stepping down as executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation, effective immediately, due to his association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The decision follows the recent release of US Justice Department documents revealing Pritzker's continued contact with Epstein after his 2008 conviction on sex crime charges. Pritzker, who has served as executive chairman since 2004, expressed regret for his "terrible judgement" in maintaining contact with them. He also stated that he will not seek re-election to the company's board at the 2026 annual stockholder meeting. Pritzker's departure is the latest consequence for prominent figures exposed by the release of documents detailing Epstein's network.