Pritzker Retires from Hyatt Board Over Epstein Ties

Hyatt executive chairman steps down after details of his association with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell were revealed.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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Thomas Pritzker, the executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels, is retiring from his role and will not stand for re-election to the company's board. Pritzker said he deeply regrets his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein's longtime associate Ghislaine Maxwell, citing "terrible judgment" in maintaining contact with them.

Why it matters

Pritzker's retirement highlights the continued fallout from the Epstein scandal, as more details emerge about the connections between the disgraced financier and the elite and powerful. Hyatt, a major global hotel brand, now faces questions about its leadership and oversight in light of Pritzker's ties to Epstein.

The details

Emails between Pritzker and Epstein were included in a recent cache of Epstein-related documents released by the U.S. Department of Justice. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 while incarcerated on sex trafficking charges. Pritzker's retirement is effective immediately, and he will not stand for re-election to Hyatt's board at the company's upcoming annual shareholders meeting.

  • Pritzker's retirement is effective immediately.
  • Pritzker will not stand for re-election to Hyatt's board at the company's annual shareholders meeting.

The players

Thomas Pritzker

The former executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels who is retiring from the company's board due to his association with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Epstein's associate Ghislaine Maxwell.

Jeffrey Epstein

A convicted sex offender who died by suicide in 2019 while incarcerated on sex trafficking charges.

Ghislaine Maxwell

A longtime associate of Jeffrey Epstein who was convicted of sex trafficking and other charges related to Epstein's crimes.

Hyatt Hotels

A major global hotel brand that now faces questions about its leadership and oversight in light of Pritzker's ties to Epstein.

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What they’re saying

“I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner. I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims.”

— Thomas Pritzker, Former Executive Chairman, Hyatt Hotels

What’s next

Hyatt will need to address the leadership transition and any potential fallout from Pritzker's ties to Epstein at the company's upcoming annual shareholders meeting.

The takeaway

Pritzker's retirement underscores the continued reputational damage and scrutiny faced by individuals and organizations connected to the Epstein scandal, even years later. It raises questions about corporate oversight and the responsibility of business leaders to distance themselves from those accused of serious crimes.