Billionaire Thomas J. Pritzker has announced his decision to retire as Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation following renewed scrutiny over his past association with convicted sex offenders Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Pritzker, 75, who has served as Hyatt’s executive chairman since 2004, confirmed on Monday that he will not seek re-election to the company’s board at its 2026 annual shareholders meeting.
In a letter addressed to the Hyatt board and in a public statement, he expressed regret over maintaining contact with Epstein and Maxwell, acknowledging it as a lapse in judgment.
“Good stewardship also means protecting Hyatt, particularly in the context of my association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell which I deeply regret,” he said in the statement.
“I exercised terrible judgement in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner.”
Recently released files from the U.S. Justice Department reportedly show that Pritzker remained in regular contact with Epstein for years after the financier’s 2008 conviction on sex crime charges. Epstein died in prison in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal trafficking charges.
Pritzker is among several high-profile figures facing consequences following the publication of millions of pages of documents detailing Epstein’s extensive network of political, business, and cultural connections.
Among others affected:
- A senior legal executive at Goldman Sachs stepped down over prior links to Epstein.
- Authorities in Norway launched property searches tied to former Prime Minister Thorbjorn Jagland as part of a corruption probe related to alleged connections.
- Leadership changes were also reported at DP World involving Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem.
- Economist Larry Summers resigned from the board of OpenAI last year.
In the United Kingdom, former ambassador to Washington Peter Mandelson has been asked to cooperate with a U.S. congressional investigation examining his ties to Epstein. Mandelson, who assumed the ambassadorial role in February 2025, was removed from the post later that year after further details about his longstanding relationship with Epstein emerged.
The controversy has also intensified political pressure on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, with critics questioning his judgment in appointing Mandelson. Reports indicate that senior officials within Starmer’s administration have also stepped down amid the fallout.
Pritzker’s departure marks a significant development for Hyatt Hotels and underscores the broader reputational impact unfolding across major institutions. His statement framed the decision as part of responsible leadership, emphasising the importance of protecting the company’s integrity.
As investigations and political inquiries continue, the ripple effects of the Epstein case remain visible across corporate boardrooms and government offices worldwide.
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