Elaine Wynn, co-founder of Wynn Resorts and ex-wife of Steve Wynn, passed away on Monday morning (14 April) in the United States at the age of 82. The news of her death was announced by her family foundation, the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, on the following day.
Punam Mathur, the foundation’s executive director, stated that Elaine Wynn peacefully passed away at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends after a brief illness.
Wynn Resorts expressed deep sorrow at her passing and extended condolences to her family and friends. “As a co-founder and one of the largest shareholders of Wynn Resorts, she played a pivotal role in establishing and growing the company, making it one of the most revered luxury resort brands in the world. Her exceptional talent and unique craftsmanship are deeply embedded throughout the business, still evident in its resorts today.”
The announcement continued, “Elaine Wynn always cared deeply for the resort’s employees. Current and former staff members who worked alongside her in creating Wynn Las Vegas and Encore Las Vegas cherish their memories with her, especially this month, marking the 20th anniversary of Wynn Las Vegas’s opening. She devoted her life to advocating for Las Vegas’s development, promoting children’s education, and supporting arts and culture. We are sincerely grateful for her enduring philanthropic spirit, which continues to thrive.”
Elaine Wynn was a female leader in Nevada’s gaming industry, co-founding both Mirage Resorts and Wynn Resorts with Steve Wynn. The latter built the Wynn Las Vegas hotel for $2.7 billion, which was the most expensive resort ever at the time. In 2002, the company obtained a gaming license in Macau, established Wynn Macau in 2006, and went public on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2009.
Born on April 28, 1942, in New York, Elaine Wynn graduated from George Washington University with a degree in political science. She married Steve Wynn in 1963, but the couple went through multiple separations, marrying and divorcing twice before officially ending their marriage in 2010. Although they parted amicably in their personal life, their disputes over company shares continued, even leading to legal battles. In 2020, Elaine Wynn announced she would no longer seek a return to the board, wishing to focus more on charitable work and education reform.
