Arne Sorenson, President and CEO of Marriott International Inc., smiles during a luncheon 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 world’s largest hotel chain after acquiring Starwood Hotels & Resorts in a $ 13 billion deal in 2016, has died. He was 62 and underwent treatment for pancreatic cancer, the company announced Tuesday.
Sorenson, the third CEO in Marriott history and the first outside founding members, passed away Monday, the company said.
Sorenson has expanded Marriott’s worldwide presence among dozens of brands, including W Hotels, Ritz-Carlton, Courtyard and Sheraton.
In recent years, he has had to lead the business through the Covid pandemic, which has halted most world and domestic travel.
“Arne was an extraordinary executive – but more than that – he was an extraordinary man,” said JW Marriott Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the board. “Arne loved every aspect of this business and enjoyed spending time visiting our hotels and staff around the world. He had an incredible ability to anticipate where the hospitality industry was headed and to position Marriott for growth. But the roles he enjoys the most were as husband, father, brother and friend, and on behalf of the board and the hundreds of thousands of Marriott staff around the world, we extend our deepest condolences to Arne’s wife and four children. We share your grief and we will Arne misses deeply. “
The hotel operator announced in May 2019 that pancreatic cancer had been diagnosed at Sorenson. Earlier this month, it shared the news that the CEO would temporarily reduce his work schedule to accommodate more demanding treatment.
Earlier this year, Marriott nominated two executives – Stephanie Linnartz, group president of consumer operations, technology and emerging businesses; and Tony Capuano, Group President of Global Development, Design and Operations Services – overseeing and completing day-to-day operations for Sorenson.
The company said Tuesday that Linnartz and Capuano will continue to do so until the board appoints a new CEO, which is expected to be within two weeks.
Shares of Marriott rose less than 1% in pre-market trading on Tuesday, falling by about 12% over the past twelve months. The hotel operator has a market capitalization of almost $ 42 billion.