Sue Pritzker
Sue Pritzker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sue Ann Sandel October 14, 1932 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Died | May 5, 1982 (aged 49) |
| Alma mater | Radcliffe College |
| Occupation(s) | Activist Philanthropist Socialite |
| Spouse(s) | Donald Pritzker (1958–1972; his death) Frank Aries (divorced) |
| Children | Penny Pritzker Anthony Pritzker JB Pritzker |
Sue Ann Pritzker (née Sandel; October 14, 1932 – May 5, 1982) was an American socialite, philanthropist, and reproductive rights activist. She was the wife of Hyatt co-founder Donald Pritzker and the mother of U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker.
Early life and education
Pritzker was born Sue Sandel on October 14, 1932 in Chicago to Albert L. Sandel, a lamp manufacturer, and Dorothy J. Craig.[1][2] She studied at the Francis W. Parker School in Chicago and graduated from Radcliffe College.[2]
Philanthropy and activism
Pritzker was involved with multiple charitable efforts that supported the Peninsula Children's Center, the San Francisco Art Institute, the San Francisco Opera Guild, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Jewish Welfare Federation.[1]
She was active in Democratic causes and was a friend of Nancy Pelosi.[2] In the 1970s, she was active in the abortion-rights movement, attending marches and demonstrations in California.[3][4]
Personal life
She married Donald Pritzker, co-founder of Hyatt, on June 10, 1958.[5] They had three children: Penny Pritzker, Anthony Pritzker, and Jay Robert Pritzker.[1] Her husband died in 1972.[1] She married a second time to Frank Aries, a developer from Tucson, but they later divorced.[1] Pritzker struggled with depression and alcoholism following the death of her first husband.[6][2]
She lived in Menlo Park, California.[1]
Death
On May 5, 1982, Pritzker was killed when she was run over after jumping out of the cab of a tow truck that was pulling her Cadillac through Mission District, San Francisco.[1][5] She was pronounced dead at the scene.[1] Her funeral was held on May 7, 1982 at Congregation Beth Am in Los Altos Hills.[1] She was buried in Memorial Park Cemetery in Skokie, Illinois.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "A woman who inexplicably jumped to her death from." UPI Archives. May 7, 1982. Archived from the original on March 27, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ a b c d Easton, Nina (June 2, 2014). "The fascinating life of Penny Pritzker (so far)". Fortune. Archived from the original on December 8, 2016. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ Sfondeles, Tina (May 13, 2022). "Marching in mother's footsteps — Pritzker eyes family legacy as he seeks national leadership role in abortion rights battle". Chicago Sun-Times. Chicago, Illinois. Archived from the original on June 16, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ "Watch The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Season 10 Episode 151". CBS. New York City. August 6, 2025. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
- ^ a b Chicago Tribune: "Mishap kills Sue Pritzker, widow of Hyatt Hotel founder, at age 49" May 8, 1982
- ^ Raju, Dilpreet (May 17, 2024). "Pritzker pledges to expand access to mental health care in Illinois". Capitol News Illinois. Retrieved August 7, 2025.