David A. Siegel

David Alan Siegel (May 3, 1935 – April 5, 2025) was an American businessman who founded Westgate Resorts, a Florida-based timeshare resort firm, and was its president and chief executive officer. Siegel was CEO of CFI Resorts Management Inc and Central Florida Investments Inc. His other businesses included real estate, construction, hotel and apartment management, travel services, insurance, transportation, and retail.

Siegel, his wife Jackie, and their Versailles house were the subject of the 2012 documentary film ''The Queen of Versailles'', which chronicled the family's lifestyle and business challenges during the 2008 financial crisis. The story was later adapted into a stage musical, ''The Queen of Versailles (musical)'', which premiered in 2024 with F. Murray Abraham portraying Siegel.

In addition to his hospitality ventures, he owned the Orlando Predators, an arena football team, and acquired notable properties such as the Cocoa Beach Pier and the Las Vegas Hotel.

Early Life and Education

Siegel was born to a wealthy Jewish familyJewish Week: "Intermarried In 'Versailles'"
July 7, 2007 in Chicago on May 3, 1935, to Sadelle and Sid Siegel, a grocer, who moved the family and grocery business to Miami in 1945. Siegel grew up in Florida where he graduated from Miami Senior High School in 1953, and later studied marketing and management at the University of Miami, before dropping out.

Career

Siegel was one of the founders of Mystery Fun House, an attraction in Orlando, Florida, that opened on March 28, 1976, and operated until 2001. It was located near International Drive, on Major Boulevard, across from Universal Orlando Resort. Over time, the fun house expanded to include a laser-tag facility, an arcade, a dinosaur-themed mini golf course, and other attractions. He also produced the movie ''Night Terror'' within the MFH in 2002. It starred local talent but also included Jeff Speakman and Al Lewis (The Munsters).

Siegel founded Westgate Resorts in 1982 with the opening of a 16-unit resort at Westgate Vacation Villas in Kissimmee, Florida. Under his leadership, the company grew into the largest privately held timeshare company in the world, with properties across the United States.

Siegel and his family were featured in the 2012 documentary ''The Queen of Versailles'', directed by Lauren Greenfield. The film follows their attempt to build a large mansion in Florida during the 2008 financial crisis and documents the financial challenges faced by Westgate Resorts, including the loss of the PH Towers Westgate in Las Vegas.Ph Towers has new owner
/ref> Siegel's businesses, family, and personal life were adversely affected by the 2008 financial crisis, as seen in the documentary.

In early 2025, Westgate Resorts announced the acquisition of VI Resorts through its affiliate Vacation Ownership Sales (VOS), adding over 40 new locations to the company's portfolio. The move marked one of the most significant geographic expansions in Westgate's history.

Political activities

Siegel supported George W. Bush during the 2000 presidential election. In a 2012 interview with Bloomberg Businessweek, he described efforts to influence employee voting preferences, including distributing negative articles about Al Gore with paychecks, conducting internal surveys, and organizing voter outreach calls in favor of Bush. He later claimed that approximately 1,000 employees voted who otherwise would not have.

During the 2012 United States elections, Siegel attracted public attention after sending an email to his employees suggesting that a victory for Barack Obama could lead to layoffs or changes in company operations. The email was widely circulated and sparked media criticism. Despite the warning, Siegel later stated that 2012 and subsequent years were financially successful for the company. In 2015, he announced a wage increase to a $10 per hour minimum for Westgate employees.

Philanthropy

Following the death of his stepdaughter Victoria in 2015 due to a drug overdose, Siegel and his wife established the ''Victoria’s Voice Foundation'', aimed at raising awareness around opioid abuse and supporting prevention efforts nationwide. The foundation advocates for youth drug education, increased access to naloxone, and legislative reform.

One of the foundation’s key initiatives, "Victoria’s Law," was passed in Florida to designate June 6 as "Revive Awareness Day" and promote overdose education and prevention measures statewide.

Controversies

In 2008, Siegel was named in a sexual harassment lawsuit filed by a Westgate former employee. In 2012, a jury awarded the plaintiff damages. Siegel denied the allegations. The case was covered by various media outlets at the time of the documentary's release.

In 2012, Siegel and Westgate Resorts filed a defamation lawsuit against the Sundance Institute and the filmmakers, which was stayed and later resolved through arbitration. In 2014, the arbitrator ruled in favor of the filmmakers, finding no falsehoods in the film and awarding them $750,000. A separate lawsuit by David and Jackie Siegel regarding life rights was also dismissed.

Personal Life and Death

In March 1961, Siegel married Geraldine Florence Sanstrom. Their marriage ended in 1968. In 1970, Siegel married Betty Tucker and moved from Miami to Orlando. They divorced in 1997, and he remained the custodial parent of all the children. He met his third and final wife Jackie Siegel in 1998. And although she is not Jewish, they were married in a Jewish ceremony. Together, they had eight children, including Jackie's adopted niece, Jonquil. Their other children are: Victoria, David, Daniel, Debbie, Drew, and twins, Jacqueline and Jordan.

On June 6, 2015, the Siegels' 18-year-old stepdaughter Victoria Siegel was found unresponsive at their home in Windermere and, after being taken to hospital, was pronounced dead. The cause of death was later determined to be a drug overdose, which motivated him to advocate against drug abuse.

On April 5, 2025, Siegel died following a bout with cancer. He was 89.

Filmography

References

External links

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MFH on BigFloridaCountry
– Pictures and Information

{{DEFAULTSORT:Siegel, David A.
1935 births
2025 deaths
American businesspeople in retailing
American chief executives of travel and tourism industry companies
American construction businesspeople
American financiers
American hoteliers
American businesspeople in insurance
20th-century American Jews
American businesspeople in real estate
American transportation businesspeople
Businesspeople from Chicago
Businesspeople from Miami
Florida Republicans
Illinois Republicans
People from Windermere, Florida
University of Miami Business School alumni
Siegel family
Miami Senior High School alumni
21st-century American Jews