David Siegel, the visionary entrepreneur behind Westgate Resorts, has passed away at the age of 89, the company confirmed.
Siegel launched Westgate Resorts back in 1982, starting with a single timeshare property in Orlando. Over the years, his ambition and leadership helped grow the business into a nationwide name, expanding to cities like Miami Beach, and reaching as far as Arizona, Virginia, and Utah. His dedication to hospitality and guest experience turned Westgate into one of the most recognizable resort brands in the U.S.
Westgate Resorts CEO Jim Gissy, Said about David Siegel
Westgate Resorts CEO Jim Gissy said, “David worked hard to leave us a company that will continue to preserve its family origins, and the significant resources and ambition to instill joy in the lives we touch through the hospitality we provide.”
But Siegel’s legacy goes far beyond resorts and real estate.
In 2015, tragedy struck the Siegel family when their daughter Victoria died from a drug overdose at just 18 years old. In her memory, David and his wife Jacqueline founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, a nonprofit committed to fighting drug addiction and preventing overdose deaths. Their work has brought national attention to the opioid crisis, and helped countless families across the country.
Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, who serves on the foundation’s board, shared his condolences on Facebook. “Not only was he an incredible entrepreneur and businessman,” Lemma wrote, “but his advocacy work following the tragic loss of his daughter, Victoria, has profoundly changed the landscape of addiction awareness and treatment. Rest in peace, David. You will be deeply missed.”
Sheriff John Mina of Orange County also paid tribute on social media, calling Siegel “a staunch supporter of law enforcement” whose “passion to end the opioid epidemic has saved thousands of lives.”
Andrae Bailey, founder of Project Opioid in Orlando, emphasized the lasting impact of Siegel’s advocacy. “It’s not just Westgate and the amazing business he and his family built,” Bailey said. “It’s also the legacy of saving lives after the loss of Victoria. If you see overdose deaths falling in Orange County and around the state, it’s a sign that tragedy can lead to real change.”
David Siegel was not only a successful businessman — he was a father, a philanthropist, and a passionate advocate who turned personal loss into purpose. His life and work touched thousands, both through the vacations his resorts provided and the lives saved through his foundation’s efforts.
A celebration of David Siegel’s life will be held in the coming days, with details expected to be announced soon.
