Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International Inc., smiles during a lunch at the Chicago Executives Club in Chicago, Illinois, USA, on Wednesday, April 3, 2019.
Daniel Acker | Bloomberg | Getty Images
Arne Sorenson, who turned Marriott International into the largest hotel chain in the world after acquiring Starwood Hotels & Resorts in a $ 13 billion deal in 2016, died. He was 62 and was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, the company announced on Tuesday.
Sorenson, the third CEO in Marriott’s history and the first outside the founding family, died on Monday, the company said.
Sorenson expanded Marriott’s worldwide presence under dozens of brands, including W Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard and Sheraton.
Last year, he had to lead business during the Covid pandemic, which paralyzed most international and domestic travel.
“Arne was an exceptional executive – but more than that – he was an exceptional human being,” said JW Marriott Jr., executive chairman and chairman. “Arne loved every aspect of that business and enjoyed the time he spent visiting our hotels and meeting associates around the world. He had an incredible ability to predict where the hospitality industry was going and to position Marriott for growth. But the roles that he most appreciated were his husband, father, brother and friend. On behalf of the Council and the hundreds of thousands of Marriott associates worldwide, we extend our sincere condolences to Arne’s wife and four children. much missed by Arne. “
The hotel operator announced in May 2019 that Sorenson had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Earlier this month, he released the news that the CEO would be temporarily reducing his work schedule to accommodate more demanding treatment.
Earlier this year, Marriott hired two executives – Stephanie Linnartz, president of the consumer operations, technology and emerging business group; and Tony Capuano, president of the global development, design and operations services group – to oversee daily operations, replacing Sorenson.
The company said on Tuesday that Linnartz and Capuano will continue to do so until the board appoints a new CEO, which is expected to occur within two weeks.
Marriott’s shares rose less than 1% in Tuesday’s premarket, having dropped about 12% in the past 12 months. The hotel operator has a market capitalization of almost $ 42 billion.