David Siegel: A Visionary Leader and Advocate for Addiction Awareness

• The founder of Westgate Resorts has died at the age of 89.
• David Siegel was known as a business innovator and philanthropist.
• A personal tragedy fueled his lifelong commitment to raising awareness about addiction and supporting charitable causes.

The visionary behind Westgate Resorts and renowned timeshare entrepreneur, David Siegel, has passed away at the age of 89. He died peacefully at his residence on April 5, 2025. David Siegel was a prominent figure in the hospitality industry across the United States.

A Visionary Leader and Founder of Westgate Resorts Passes

The announcement of his passing was made by Westgate Resorts, which informed its staff through a letter on Saturday morning.

In a company-wide email, it was stated that Siegel was a pivotal influence not only within the company he founded but also throughout the broader hospitality sector, highlighting his humility and approachable nature above all else:

“David always remembered his modest beginnings, starting Westgate in his garage and using the company as a platform to inspire and lead others to success.”

His life was notably shaped by personal loss and a drive to enact positive change. The accidental overdose of his 18-year-old daughter, Victoria, in 2015 inspired him and his wife, Jackie, to establish a charity aimed at educating the public about the dangers of drug use and addiction. This organization focuses on raising awareness and prevention, particularly targeting families and communities most vulnerable to these issues.

Westgate Resorts was initiated by Siegel in California in 1982 as a privately owned timeshare resort enterprise. Over the years, it expanded to employ more than 10,000 individuals and is recognized as the largest privately owned corporation in Central Florida.

The company also owns the acclaimed Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino, which features 95,000 square feet of gaming space, offering a variety of table games, slots, and more. The property is home to the Race & Sports Book, noted for being the largest in the world.

A Life Dedicated to Raising Awareness About Addiction

Despite not being primarily a casino operator and being more widely recognized for its timeshare and vacation properties in the U.S., Westgate has established a significant presence in Nevada. The company now boasts 13,500 rooms across 22 resorts nationwide, with future expansions set to further increase the number of available resorts.

Siegel also advocated for greater awareness of gambling addiction. In 2024, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis introduced Victoria’s Law, which designates June 6 as ‘Revive Awareness Day,’ aimed at promoting initiatives by the state health department to tackle issues such as the safe use of opioid counteractives and the dangers of overdoses.