Wynn Resorts Co-Founder Elaine Wynn Dies at 82

Elaine Wynn, who co-founded the namesake resort and casino empire with Steve Wynn, has died. She was 82 years old.

Wynn’s death was disclosed by her foundation, the Wall Street Journal reported. The circumstances surrounding her passing were not revealed.

Elaine Pascal was born in New York City but first made a name for herself on the Las Vegas strip. She played a major role in designing and operating casino resorts, both in the desert and across the globe. She had a hand in the Mirage and its volcano, as well as the Bellagio and its famed fountains.

“She helped to create and grow the company to become the most esteemed luxury resort brand in the world,” Wynn Resorts said in a statement. “Her many talents and special touches are indelibly imprinted on the company and still evident throughout our resorts.”

Wynn became a philanthropist, dedicated to the arts and education. She was also the largest individual shareholder in Wynn Resorts and served on the board of the company. She also convinced Oscar de la Renta and Manolo Blahnik to open their first Vegas boutiques.

Her relationship with Steve dated back to a blind date. They married in 1963 and, after running his father’s bingo parlors on the East Coast, decamped to Vegas in 1967 after Steve acquired a small stake in a since-shuttered hotel and casino, the Frontier Hotel.

The two divorced in 1986 but reconciled five years later. They split for good in 2010. After losing control of her shares from Steve, she gained them back upon Steve’s resignation as CEO of Wynn Resorts following accusations of sexual harassment, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

Her net worth was estimated by Forbes to be $1.7 billion as of September 2020.

She is survived by two children and seven grandchildren.

— Holden Walter-Warner