Donald Pritzker

Donald Nicholas Pritzker (October 31, 1932 – May 6, 1972) was an American entrepreneur, businessman, and member of the wealthy Pritzker family.

Donald Pritzker
Born
Donald Nicholas Pritzker

(1932-10-31)October 31, 1932
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
DiedMay 6, 1972(1972-05-06) (aged 39)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
NationalityUnited States
Alma materB.A. Harvard University
J.D. University of Chicago
OccupationBusinessman
Known forPresident of the Hyatt Corporation
Spouse(s)
Sue Sandel
​
(
m. 1958; his death 1972)
ChildrenPenny Pritzker
Anthony Pritzker
Jay Robert Pritzker
Parent(s)Abram Nicholas Pritzker
Fanny Doppelt

Early life and education

Pritzker was born to a Jewish family[1] in Chicago, Illinois, the son of 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
See also: Pritzker family

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]

Pritzker died in 1972 at age 39 of a heart attack while playing tennis at a Hyatt hotel in Honolulu.[4][11] His wife died 10 years later in an accident at age 49.[5]

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References
  1. The Economist: "Jay Pritzker, pioneer of the modern hotel chain, died on January 23rd, aged 76" January 28, 1999
  2. New York Times: "Jay Pritzker, Who Built Chain Of Hyatt Hotels, Is Dead at 76" By ANTHONY RAMIREZ January 25, 1999
  3. Chicago Magazine: "Tremors in the Empire" By Shane Tritsch December 2002
  4. 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
  5. Chicago Tribune: "Mishap kills Sue Pritzker, widow of Hyatt Hotel founder, at age 49" May 8, 1982
  6. Ancestry.com Wedding Announcement
  7. Jewish Daily Forward: "Penny Pritzker, Jewish Hotel Heiress, Tapped for Commerce Job – Mike Froman Gets Trade Representative Nod" May 2, 2013
  8. BusinessWeek profile
  9. Milken Institute biography
  10. Forbes Magazine Staff (September 2014). "Jay Robert (J.B.) Pritzker". Forbes Magazine. Retrieved 2015-01-06.
  11. Times, Special To The New York (9 May 1972). "DONALD N. PRITZKER". The New York Times. Retrieved 27 October 2016.
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