Gigi Pritzker
Gigi Pritzker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jean Pritzker 1962 (age 61–62) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Education | B.A. Stanford University |
| Occupation(s) | Film producer, Philanthropist |
| Known for | co-founder of Odd Lot Entertainment |
| Spouse | Michael Pucker |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent(s) | Jay Pritzker Marian "Cindy" Friend |
Jean "Gigi" Pritzker (born 1962) is an American billionaire, film producer, and philanthropist. She is a member of the Pritzker family, as the granddaughter of A.N. Pritzker and daughter of Jay Pritzker.
Early life and education
Pritzker was born to a Jewish family in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Marian "Cindy" (née Friend) and Jay Pritzker.[2] Her maternal grandfather was Prague-born jurist Hugo Friend. Her father diversified the Chicago-based family business, the Marmon Group - along with his brothers Robert Pritzker and Donald Pritzker - building it into a portfolio of over 60 diversified industrial corporations. They also created the Hyatt Hotel chain in 1957 and owned Braniff Airlines from 1983–1988.[1] The family has been divesting its assets: in 2006, the family sold Conwood, a smokeless tobacco company, for $3.5 billion to cigarette company Reynolds American Inc;[3] in 2007, the family sold control of the Marmon Group to Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway for $4.5 billion;[1] and in 2010, the family sold its majority stake in Transunion, the Chicago-based credit reporting company, for an undisclosed amount to Chicago-based private-equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners.[3] Pritzker graduated with a B.A. in anthropology from Stanford University.[4]
Career
After taking courses in documentary film making,[4] she co-founded - along with her friend Deborah Del Prete - the Culver City, California based film production and financing company Odd Lot Entertainment.[1][4][5] In 2010, Odd Lot produced the film Rabbit Hole starring Nicole Kidman and in 2011, produced the film Drive starring Ryan Gosling.[6] In November 2013, Odd Lot released Ender's Game a film co-starring Harrison Ford, and based on Orson Scott Card's science fiction novel.[1] Pritzker also develops and produces live stage productions - along with her partner Ted Rawlins - through their company Relevant Theatricals. Relevant Theatricals produced the play Million Dollar Quartet.[6]
Personal life and philanthropy
Pritzker is president and a trustee of the Pritzker Pucker Family Foundation and the Chicago Children's Theatre.[1] She is married to Michael Pucker[7] and has three children.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Forbes: The World's Billionaires - Jean (Gigi) Pritzker March 2013
- ^ CNN Money: "THE PRITZKERS UNVEILING A PRIVATE FAMILY" By Ford S. Worthy April 25, 1988
- ^ a b Chicago Tribune: "Pritzker family could soon own less than half of Hyatt" By Julie Wernau April 19, 2011
- ^ a b c New York Times: "A Movie Mogul Rising" By MICHAEL CIEPLY January 14, 2013
- ^ Crain's Chicago Business: "Gigi Pritzker's firm sees star rising in Hollywood" by Shia Kapos January 15, 2013
- ^ a b Chicago Tribune: "The Pritzker family tree" By Melissa Harris and Julie Wernau December 18, 2011
- ^ Crain's Chicago Business: "Gigi, Michael Pucker donate sculpture to Lurie Children's Hospital" by Shia Kapos October 24, 2012