David Siegel, owner of Westgate Resorts in Las Vegas, died at 89 years old. Kats | Entertainment

When David Siegel bought the Hotel-Casino then-LVH in 2014, it was informed that it would be wise to close the hotel for in-depth upgrades.

Siegel authorized the work. But he did not lock the doors while the hotel turned to the Westgate.

“It would have put 2,000 unemployed people, and we thought we will get around the operation,” said Siegel at the time. “It will cost more, but it will save a lot of jobs.”

The founder of Westgate Resorts and owner of one of the most famous hotels in Las Vegas, Westgate Las Vegas, has died. He was 89 years old.

The company announced the death of Siegel in a personal service note and on social networks on Saturday morning. No cause was reported, but he had fought for cancer.

A famous Vegas complex

Siegel was the founder and executive president of the company. Siegel bought LVH, formerly known as Las Vegas Hilton and the International Hotel, in July 2014.

The seaside resort of 3,261 rooms was built by the legend of the Kirk Kerkorian game and opened in 1969. The complex was famous for its rotation of the headliners of Superstar, notably led by Elvis Presley which was performed there from 1969 to 1976.

The parents of Siegel, Sid and Sadelle, were frequent visitors to Las Vegas. David’s affection for the city and his nostalgic sensation were obvious because the hotel is named Sid’s Cafe. The story of the couple is presented on the menu.

When Siegel bought LVH from the investment bank Goldman Sachs in 2014, he told Las Vegas Review-Journal that he would embrace his new employees, saying: “This is how I do business, it’s like a big family.” He replaced the “L” on the marquee of 279 feet of the hotel with a “W” because the panel was changed to “Westgate”. After this splashing photo session, Siegel joked: “I’m the next Vanna White.”

A warrior against the opioid crisis

In recent years, Siegel focused on the opioid crisis, after the death of his daughter Victoria, who died of what was judged an accidental overdose in 2015 at the age of 18. He and his wife, Jackie, founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation and organized annual fundraising in Las Vegas from 2019.

Siegel was a fierce supporter of Naloxone, sold under the Narcan brand, the nasal spray which quickly stops the effects of an opioid overdose. Victoria’s Voice Foundation collected funds to provide the drug to the first stakeholders and families.

“When (Victoria) overdosed, she was still alive,” said Siegel in a 2019 interview. “As she arrived at the hospital, she died. I am a great defender that if a family has a child who could consume drugs, he should have Narcan at home. ”

Siegel was with family members in his last days.

“The last months of David have been passed surrounded by his loving wife Jacqueline, his children, his extended family and his closest friends,” the company said in a statement transmitted by the son of Siegel, Richard. “Throughout his life, as well as during his last years, David’s passion for our business, our industry and the hospitality that we create have always been at the forefront of his mind.”

Siegel died in Orlando and visited the Westgate last time in December. Siegel founded a multi -ownership company in 1982 in Kissimmee, Florida.

“Component from time to time”

Westgate Las Vegas is the only hotelier in the company. Due to his failing health, Siegel resigned from the CEO of Westgate Resorts last year. After leaving this position, he remained as the company Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chairman. Jim Gissy was appointed CEO in March 2024.

Some 2,000 employees worked at the Las Vegas hotel and more than 8,500 in total in 22 properties nationwide.

Westgate Las Vegas was alone in this collection, the only property of Westgate to offer a casino. As Siegel explained, “it is a hotel-casino with a shared time component.”

It was the largest private company in time shared in the United States, it recently announced an expansion of more than 44 vacation destinations, which should close this year, with the acquisition of Holiday ownerships, the VIA Resorts Management and Development Company.

The president of Westgate Las Vegas, Cami Christensen, was in daily contact with Siegel and said that she felt a “deep sadness” in the death of Siegel.

“David was not only a visionary leader, but also a mentor and dear friend for many of us. Las Vegas has always occupied a special place in his heart. When he acquired the Westgate Las Vegas Resort, he immediately recognized the legendary status of the property and the exceptional potential of his people,” said Christensen in a press release. “His passion for hospitality has transformed Westgate Las Vegas into the emblematic station, it’s today. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Siegel family during this difficult period. ”

Davis as a resident

Siegel became an important friend and combined with the owner of the raiders, Mark Davis, who moved into the Westgate when the team moved from Oakland.

“David welcomed me in Las Vegas completely, and for five or six years, I lived at the hotel. It is a hell of a property with a big story,” said Davis during a telephone cat on Saturday morning. “He treated me like a king. He opened his house for me.

“I feel for his family, and of course Cami, who is such a special person in my life and in the Westgate family.”

The ‘queen’ lives

The Siegels were the center of the infamous documentary of 2012 “The Queen of Versailles”, which told the couple’s attempt to build the largest and most expensive house in the United States. The doc was transformed into a musical, with Kristen Chenweth as Jackie and F. Murray Abraham in the role of David.

The musical “The Queen of Versailles” will make her first on Broadway at St. James Theater this fall.

David Siegel grimacted a decade ago, when he spoke of the documentary, saying: “It was 25% of evil and 75%. After the documentary, I don’t want cameras near me.”

Siegel was a customer at Las Vegas Hilton for decades, including during the property era of Barron Hilton. But he preferred to own the building rather than hitting the tables.

“I don’t play in casinos,” he said. “The house always wins.”

Instead of flowers, the family asks for donations from the Victoria Siegel Foundation to continue the battle of David against the drug pandemic who won the life of his daughter Victoria in VictoriasieGelfoundation.org.

It is a story in development. Come back for updates.

The column of John Katsilomètes takes place daily in section A. Contact it to jkatsilometes@reviewjournal.com. Follow @Johnnykats On x, @ johnnykats1 on Instagram.