Who is David A. Siegel?
David A. Siegel, whose full name was David Alan Siegel, was an American businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist best known as the founder, president, and CEO of Westgate Resorts, one of the largest privately held timeshare companies in the United States. He also founded Central Florida Investments (CFI) and expanded his business interests into hotels, real estate, travel, insurance, and hospitality. Siegel gained international recognition through the 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles, which followed the construction of his family’s enormous Florida mansion and chronicled the impact of the 2008 financial crisis on his business and lifestyle.
David A. Siegel was born on May 3, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He grew up in Miami, Florida, after his family relocated there during his childhood. Although he attended the University of Miami to study marketing and management, he left before graduating to pursue business opportunities. Under his leadership, Westgate Resorts grew into a major force in the vacation ownership industry. Siegel passed away on April 5, 2025, at the age of 89, leaving a lasting legacy in real estate, hospitality, and philanthropy.
David A. Siegel Age, Height & Weight
David A. Siegel was born on May 3, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. He passed away on April 5, 2025, at the age of 89 after a battle with cancer. As of 2026, he would have been 91 years old.
David A. Siegel stood approximately 6 feet 2 inches (188 cm) tall. Although his exact weight was never officially disclosed, it was commonly estimated to be around 190 pounds (86 kg) during his later public appearances. Because neither Siegel nor Westgate Resorts published verified body measurements, the weight figure should be considered an estimate rather than a confirmed fact.
As the founder and longtime CEO of Westgate Resorts, Siegel became one of the most recognizable figures in the American timeshare industry. He was also known for his appearance in the documentary The Queen of Versailles and for his philanthropic efforts, particularly his advocacy against drug abuse following the death of his daughter, Victoria.
David A. Siegel Net Worth (2025 & 2026)
David A. Siegel, the founder and longtime CEO of Westgate Resorts, accumulated substantial wealth through the timeshare, real estate, hospitality, and resort industries. At the time of his death on April 5, 2025, his estimated net worth was approximately $500 million, according to widely cited financial sources.
Based on publicly available estimates:
- Estimated Net Worth (2025): Approximately $500 million
- Estimated Net Worth (2026): Approximately $500 million (posthumous estimate)
His fortune was built primarily through Westgate Resorts, one of the largest privately held timeshare companies in the United States, along with investments in hotels, real estate, travel services, construction, insurance, and other business ventures. David A. Siegel was also widely known through the documentary The Queen of Versailles, which highlighted both his business success and the construction of his famous Florida mansion.
Because David A. Siegel passed away in 2025, any 2026 net worth figure is simply an estimate of the value of his estate and should not be interpreted as a measure of ongoing personal earnings.
David A. Siegel Early Life
David A. Siegel was born on May 3, 1935, in Chicago, Illinois, United States. At an early age, his family relocated to Miami, Florida, where he spent most of his childhood. Growing up in Miami exposed him to the city’s rapidly developing real estate market, which later influenced his interest in business and property development.
Siegel attended Miami Senior High School before enrolling at the University of Miami, where he studied marketing and management. Although he did not complete his degree, he left college to pursue entrepreneurial opportunities. His decision to enter the business world early proved successful, as he quickly developed skills in sales, marketing, and real estate.
Before founding Westgate Resorts in 1982, Siegel worked in various business ventures and gained valuable experience in the hospitality and real estate industries. His entrepreneurial mindset, determination, and willingness to take risks helped him build one of the largest privately held timeshare companies in the United States. His early experiences laid the foundation for a business career that spanned more than five decades and made him one of the most recognized figures in the American resort industry.
David A. Siegel Biography & Personal Info
| Personal Information | Details |
| Full Name | David Alan Siegel |
| Popular Name | David A. Siegel |
| Profession | Businessman, Entrepreneur, Philanthropist |
| Date of Birth | May 3, 1935 |
| Date of Death | April 5, 2025 |
| Age at Death | 89 Years |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Birth Sign (Zodiac Sign) | Taurus |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Judaism |
| Height | Approximately 6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
| Weight | Approximately 190 lbs (86 kg) (estimated) |
| Hair Color | Gray |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Jackie Siegel (m. 2000) |
| Children | 14 (including adopted children) |
| Education | University of Miami (studied Marketing and Management; did not graduate) |
| Known For | Founder, President, and CEO of Westgate Resorts; featured in The Queen of Versailles documentary |
| Estimated Net Worth (2025) | Approximately $500 million (estimated at the time of his death) |
| Legacy | Built one of the largest privately held timeshare companies in the U.S. and co-founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation to combat substance abuse. |
David A. Siegel Career & Achievement
David A. Siegel was an American entrepreneur best known as the founder, president, and CEO of Westgate Resorts, one of the largest privately held timeshare companies in the world. He began his business career by founding Central Florida Investments (CFI) in 1970, initially focusing on real estate development. In 1982, he launched Westgate Resorts with a 16-unit vacation property near Walt Disney World in Kissimmee, Florida. Under his leadership, the company expanded into a nationwide hospitality brand with resorts, hotels, and vacation ownership properties across the United States.
Siegel also diversified his business interests into construction, hotels, travel services, insurance, retail, and entertainment. He gained worldwide recognition through the 2012 documentary The Queen of Versailles, which chronicled his family’s attempt to build one of America’s largest private homes. Following the tragic loss of his daughter Victoria in 2015, he co-founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, becoming a leading advocate for drug awareness and overdose prevention.
Career Highlights & Achievements
- Founded Central Florida Investments (CFI) in 1970.
- Founded Westgate Resorts in 1982, growing it into the largest privately held timeshare company in the world.
- Expanded Westgate to 22+ resort destinations with more than 13,500 rooms across the United States.
- Received the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Florida) award for his achievements in real estate and construction.
- Featured in the acclaimed documentary The Queen of Versailles, which brought international attention to his business career and family life.
- Co-founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, helping raise awareness about substance abuse and advocating for overdose prevention and expanded access to naloxone.
David A. Siegel Awards
David A. Siegel received several prestigious awards and honors throughout his career in recognition of his leadership in the hospitality and timeshare industries, as well as his philanthropic work.
Notable Awards & Honors
- ARDA Lifetime Achievement Award (2025) – Honored by the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) for his more than 40 years of leadership and lasting contributions to the vacation ownership and timeshare industry.
- ARDA ACE Philanthropist of the Year Award (2020) – Recognized for his advocacy against the opioid epidemic and his charitable work through the Victoria’s Voice Foundation, which he co-founded after the loss of his daughter.
- Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year – Florida – Received this award for his outstanding achievements in real estate development and entrepreneurship, particularly through the growth of Westgate Resorts.
- Orlando Business Journal – CEO of the Year Honoree (2014) – Recognized for his business leadership and significant impact on Central Florida’s economy and hospitality industry.
Career Recognition
- Founded Westgate Resorts, which grew into one of the world’s largest privately held timeshare companies.
- Built Central Florida Investments (CFI) into one of the largest privately held companies in Central Florida.
- Recognized as a leading entrepreneur in hospitality, real estate, and vacation ownership.
- Honored for his philanthropic efforts to increase awareness of substance abuse prevention and expand access to overdose-reversal medication through the Victoria’s Voice Foundation.
FAQ About David A. Siegel
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What was David A. Siegel’s full name?
His full name was David Alan Siegel. -
When was David A. Siegel born?
He was born on May 3, 1935. -
Where was David A. Siegel born?
He was born in Chicago, Illinois, United States. -
When did David A. Siegel die?
He passed away on April 5, 2025, at the age of 89. -
What was David A. Siegel famous for?
He was famous for founding Westgate Resorts and for appearing in the documentary The Queen of Versailles, which chronicled his family’s life and business. -
Who was David A. Siegel’s wife?
He was married to Jackie Siegel, a model, television personality, and philanthropist. -
What was David A. Siegel’s estimated net worth?
At the time of his death in 2025, his estimated net worth was around $500 million. -
What charitable work was David A. Siegel involved in?
He co-founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation with his wife to raise awareness about substance abuse and help prevent drug overdose deaths following the loss of their daughter, Victoria. -
What is David A. Siegel’s legacy?
His legacy includes building Westgate Resorts into a leading vacation ownership company, contributing to the hospitality industry, and supporting drug awareness and prevention efforts through philanthropy.