Donald Nicholas Pritzker (October 31, 1932 – May 6, 1972) was an American businessman. He was a member of the Pritzker family and served as the president of Hyatt, where he helped grow the hotel chain.
Early life and education Pritzker was born to a Jewish familyThe Economist: "Jay Pritzker, pioneer of the modern hotel chain, died on January 23rd, aged 76" January 28, 1999 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).New York Times: "Jay Pritzker, Who Built Chain Of Hyatt Hotels, Is Dead at 76" By ANTHONY RAMIREZ January 25, 1999 Pritzker studied at the Francis W. Parker School, and graduated with a B.A. from Harvard University as well as a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School.Chicago Magazine: "Tremors in the Empire" By Shane Tritsch December 2002
Career In 1961, after he graduated from law school, he went to work for the family company, the Marmon Group.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 His elder brother Jay Pritzker assigned him the task of managing the Hyatt Hotel chain. 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.
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.
Personal life
On June 10, 1958, Donald Pritzker married Sue Sandel (1932–1982), May 8, 1982 daughter of Albert L. Sandel (1902–1967) and Dorothy J. Craig (1904–1998).Ancestry.com Wedding Announcement She also studied at the Francis W. Parker School and graduated from Radcliffe College. They had three children: Penny Pritzker (born 1959), the 38th United States Secretary of CommerceJewish Daily Forward: "Penny Pritzker, Jewish Hotel Heiress, Tapped for Commerce Job – Mike Froman Gets Trade Representative Nod" May 2, 2013 Anthony Pritzker (born 1961), managing partner of the Pritzker Group.BusinessWeek profileMilken Institute biography JB Pritzker (born 1965), managing partner of the Pritzker Group and Governor of Illinois. and the 512th richest person in the world.
Death Pritzker died in 1972 at age 39 of a heart attack while playing tennis at a Hyatt hotel in Honolulu. His wife died 10 years later in an accident at age 49.
References