by Donald Wood
Last updated: 7:45 AM ET, Tue February 17, 2026
Hyatt Hotels Executive Chairman Thomas Pritzker announced on
Monday that he would step down from his position with the company, effective immediately,
following revelations of a relationship with convicted sex offenders Jeffrey
Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.
According to Reuters.com,
the 75-year-old Pritzker admitted to the relationship and said he used “terrible
judgment” in maintaining contact with Epstein and Maxwell. He revealed that he would
not seek re-election to the company's board in 2026.
“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 in a statement. “I exercised terrible
judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing
to distance myself sooner.”
“I have been a proud member of the Hyatt family since the
beginning of Hyatt,” Pritzker continued. “As I said in my letter to the board,
it has been both an honor and one of the great experiences of my life to have
contributed to Hyatt’s growth. Hyatt is well positioned for the future, and I
have great confidence in Mark, our leadership team, and the Board as they
continue to build on our strong foundation.”
Pritzker had served as executive chairman and as a member of
Hyatt’s board of directors since 2004. The company announced Mark S.
Hoplamazian, Hyatt’s President and Chief Executive Officer, will succeed
Pritzker as Chairman of the Board, effective immediately.
“I am honored by the Board’s confidence and look forward to
serving as Chairman,” Hoplamazian said. “Tom’s decision reflects his
stewardship and strong commitment to Hyatt over his many decades of service.”
“Looking ahead, we remain focused on executing our strategy
for long-term growth, advancing care for our colleagues, delivering meaningful
experiences for our guests, and driving performance for owners and value for
our stockholders,” Hoplamazian continued.
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