A billionaire hotel magnate famed for masterminding some of the Las Vegas strip’s most iconic tourist attractions with her ex-husband has died at the age of 82.
Elaine Wynn and her former partner Steve operated an eponymous global collection of casinos and hotels synonymous with Sin City. They ran in the same circles as Donald Trump, who also established a Nevada resort chain in the 1990s.
Further details on Wynn’s cause of death, or where and when she died have yet to emerge. The Wall Street Journal, who broke news of Wynn’s death, said she was the largest individual shareholder in Wynn Resorts, with a stake worth $2 billion in 2018.
Wynn signed away her voting rights in the company when she divorced Steve for the second time in 2010, but in June 2018 she returned to the board amid a cloud of sexual harassment complaints against Steve by former employees.
Steve sold his 12 percent share in the company after some staffers claimed he had paid them off to keep quiet about the alleged harassment.
The casino power couple, who share two daughters called Kevyn and Gillian, originally married in 1963 after meeting on a blind date, and they divorced for the first time in 1986. They tied the knot again in 1991 but divorced 19 years later.
They faced horrific trauma in 1993 when Kevyn was kidnapped. Stricken Wynn paid a $1.45 million ransom for the safe return of her daughter, with the blundering kidnappers caught when they tried to use the cash to buy a Ferrari.
Elaine Wynn, a billionaire philanthropist who created the famous Wynn Hotels and Casino resorts with ex-husband Steve, has died aged 82
Elaine Wynn and her ex-husband Steve are pictured with magicians Siegfried and Roy at Elizabeth Taylor’s 79th birthday in 2007. The couple married and divorced twice
Together they forged some of the most famous attractions on the Las Vegas strip, including the Mirage and its erupting volcano (shown above), and the Bellagio fountains
Together they forged some of the most famous attractions on the Las Vegas strip, including the Mirage and its erupting volcano, and the Bellagio fountains (shown above)
Wynn was born to a middle-class family of New York Jews and founded Vegas’ iconic Mirage Resorts with Steve in 1976.
The couple went on to develop the famously glitzy Wynn resorts in 2000. Their combined efforts were credited with revitalizing the Vegas Strip and helping the area shake off its seedy reputation.
Together they forged some of the most famous attractions on the strip, including the Mirage and its erupting volcano, and the Bellagio fountains.
Wynn Resorts issued a statement to the Las Vegas Review-Journal about her passing.
‘We are all deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Elaine Wynn, and send our condolences to her daughters, grandchildren, and her many close friends,’ the company said.
‘As co-founder and one of the largest shareholders of Wynn Resorts, she helped to create and grow the company to become the most esteemed luxury resort brand in the world.
Wynn and her ex-husband Steve designed and ran an eponymous global collection of casinos and hotel resorts synonymous with Las Vegas. They are pictured together in 2007
Elaine Wynn, a billionaire philanthropist who created the famous Wynn Hotels and Casino resorts with ex-husband Steve, has died aged 82
The Wall Street Journal , who broke news of Wynn’s death, said she was the largest individual shareholder in Wynn Resorts. She is pictured on the left in Las Vegas, September 2009
The Wynn Hotel & Casino, located on the famed Las Vegas Strip and located next to its sister hotel, The Encore, is seen in this 2009 Las Vegas, Nevada, exterior photo
Her many talents and special touches are indelibly imprinted on the company and still evident throughout our resorts. Elaine cared deeply about the employees of our resorts.
‘The current and former employees who worked alongside her to create Wynn and Encore Las Vegas cherish the many fond memories they have of her, especially of when they opened Wynn Las Vegas with her 20 years ago this month.
‘She was a tireless advocate for Las Vegas, for children and their education, and for the arts. We’re grateful that the enduring sense of philanthropy she instilled in our company continues to this day.’
Wynn spoke about moving to Las Vegas in 1967 with author Jack Sheehan, for a biography he wrote about her mentor, banker E Parry Thomas.
‘Initially I did feel very out of place because I still was in most respects a very traditional middle-class Jewish girl … and life here seemed pretty fast,’ Wynn said.
‘But I had grown up in Miami Beach, and it was a similar environment to Las Vegas minus the gaming. A lot of the same people who wound up in Las Vegas.’
Wynn and her ex-husband Steve designed and ran an eponymous global collection of casinos and hotel resorts synonymous with Las Vegas. They are pictured together in 2007
Pictured: Steve Wynn and Elaine Wynn during La Bete Nightclub Opening at Wynn Las Vegas at La Bete at Wynn Las Vegas in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Elaine Wynn and her former partner Steve ran in the same circles as Donald Trump, who also established a Nevada resort chain in the 1990s. Pictured: Roberto Cavalli, Elaine Wynn, Steve Wynn, Melania Trump, Eva Cavalli and Donald Trump in the 1990s
Together they forged some of the most famous attractions on the Las Vegas strip, including the Mirage and its erupting volcano (shown above), and the Bellagio fountains
Born Elaine Pascal, the hotel tycoon was raised in New York City and graduated from George Washington University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
She met her ex-husband Steve on a blind date arranged by relatives, and they ran his father’s East Coast bingo parlors together.
They moved to Las Vegas in 1967 after he purchased a stake in a since-closed hotel and casino.
Wynn is survived by her two children, Kevyn and Gillian, and her seven grandchildren.
Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley issued a tribute to Wynn on Tuesday, describing her as a longtime friend while remembering her philanthropy.
‘All of Las Vegas is saddened by the loss of Elaine Wynn,’ Berkley said.
‘I have known Elaine since I was a student at UNLV, and she has impacted my life in so very many ways.
‘Elaine has been a force for compassion, the arts and philanthropy in our city for many decades.
‘Her spirit, creativity and caring nature will live on through her foundation, the many projects she has had a hand in and the many lives she has touched.
‘I look forward to the future opening of the Las Vegas Museum of Art that she had partnered with the city to create.’
