David Siegel Dies At Home Surrounded By Family
Billionaire hotelier and Westgate Resorts founder David Siegel dies at 89, the company confirmed Saturday. Surrounded by family and friends at his Florida mansion, Siegel passed peacefully after a private battle with cancer, according to reports from the Las Vegas Journal-Review.
He is survived by his wife Jackie, nine children, two stepchildren, and a dozen grandchildren.
A Legacy Built From A Garage Startup
Siegel’s hospitality empire began in 1982 when he launched Westgate Resorts out of his garage. His first property opened on a former orange grove in Kissimmee, Florida. Today, the company operates 22 resorts with more than 13,500 rooms and over 330,000 timeshare owners.
He also previously owned the Orlando Predators arena football team and had a reported net worth of $6.67 billion at the time of his death.
Life Inside America’s Largest Private Home
Siegel and his wife became the subject of the 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles, which chronicled their efforts to build a 90,000-square-foot mansion inspired by the Palace of Versailles. The extravagant Florida estate drew national attention for its sheer scale and opulence.
Despite its glamour, the couple faced immense personal tragedy during this time.
Tragedy Inspires a National Addiction Crusade
In 2015, the Siegels’ daughter Victoria died of a drug overdose at just 18 years old. The loss reshaped the couple’s mission, leading them to found the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, a nonprofit focused on addiction prevention and education.
The Siegels played a key role in pushing for the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act and successfully campaigned to designate June 6 as National Naloxone Awareness Day.
Remembering Siegel’s Lasting Impact
Sheriff Dennis Lemma praised Siegel’s work, stating his advocacy for Narcan “saved countless lives.” Sheriff John Mina also shared, “His passion to end the opioid epidemic truly made a difference in our community.”
The family is encouraging donations to Victoria’s Voice to continue his work. Although David Siegel dies, his vision, advocacy, and generosity will continue to influence lives nationwide.
