Content warning: This article contains references to sexual abuse.
Emails between University of Chicago Trustee Thomas Pritzker (M.B.A. ’76, J.D. ’76) and Ghislane Maxwell, one of Epstein’s closest associates, indicate that Pritzker and Maxwell shared a previously unknown close personal relationship.
The pair exchanged dozens of innuendo-laced emails in the early 2000s, discussing underwear and Pritzker’s “manhood” among other topics.
The Maroon previously reported on Pritzker’s close relationship with Epstein, which lasted until Epstein’s death. New reporting from the Maroon also shows that Pritzker planned several visits to Little Saint James, Epstein’s private island where prosecutors allege he abused victims.
Maxwell was convicted of participating in and facilitating the sex trafficking of underage girls in 2022. She is currently serving a 20-year sentence.
Virginia Giuffre, one of Epstein’s most prominent accusers who died by suicide last year, previously named Pritzker in a 2016 deposition as someone who had sex with her on one occasion.
Pritzker has denied any wrongdoing stemming from his relationship with Epstein and has not been charged with any crime related to the Epstein investigations. A spokesperson for Pritzker declined to comment on this story.
Pritzker stepped down as the executive chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation on Monday because of his relationship with Epstein.
“I exercised terrible judgment in maintaining contact with them, and there is no excuse for failing to distance myself sooner. I condemn the actions and the harm caused by Epstein and Maxwell and I feel deep sorrow for the pain they inflicted on their victims,” Pritzker wrote in his resignation letter to the Hyatt Board of Directors.
Pritzker’s spokesperson told the Maroon in a statement that “Tom Pritzker will retire from the [UChicago Board of Trustees] this June having reached the mandatory retirement age. Tom has already concluded his service on the board’s executive committee.”
The newly released emails between Pritzker and Maxwell date back to at least 2001 and suggest that the two had a close relationship; correspondence between them was often filled with sexual innuendos.
In March 2001, Pritzker asked Maxwell, “so, what did I miss? … be truthful. Going out to buy underwear now.” Maxwell responded, “If I allowed you to participate vicariously at all these events I may never get you in person.” It is not clear what events Maxwell refers to in the exchange.
Original spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been retained unless otherwise noted.
Later that day, she asked Pritzker to “send a copy of the receipt for the underwear + e mail photo. I need proof. The alternative is that you have to show them to me in person.”
In another email from the same year, Maxwell wrote to Pritzker, “Given that I know how that at least your manhood stretches 7 hours …. well how could a girl be more impressed (except if I discover that it goes 9 hours).”
The email appears to reference an earlier email exchange where Maxwell asked if Pritzker had “the long range Falcon [private jet] or the shorter one – are you a 7 1/2 hour or a 9 hour plane?” Pritzker asked whether the comment was “like a challenge to my manhood?”
In a 2003 email, Maxwell invited Pritzker to a dinner hosted by Epstein. When asked who would be in attendance, Maxwell responded with several names and “5 models who are the serving girls.” Pritzker asked if Maxwell would be in attendance as well, to which she responded: “Of course – who else could possibly be there to hold the peace or was it hold your piece.”
That phrasing also appears in an email chain from two days earlier. In the email, Pritzker asked Maxwell for names to invite to an upcoming event in Madrid, telling Maxwell to “speak now or forever hold my piece.”
“Hold your piece – now that is very fresh,” Maxwell responded.
Pritzker was not the only man in Epstein’s orbit who exchanged flirtatious messages with Maxwell. Doug Band, a former advisor to Bill Clinton, shared similar emails with Maxwell in the early 2000s. Band denied they ever had a physical relationship, further calling Maxwell a “monster” in a statement to the New York Times.
Pritzker also wrote to Maxwell about being away from his wife Margot Pritzker on at least six occasions, suggesting that they meet in person. He would occasionally refer to himself as a “bachelor” in these emails.
“I (w/o Margot) fly to Miami and will be there all week for a variety of meetings. Are you going to come down with me and play? I may even end up getting a day off for good behavior,” Pritzker wrote in 2002.
“I am a bachelor for another week, but I have to deal with Kaka. Margot is in Kathmandu,” Pritzker wrote in 2001. “Where are you this weekend? Can we create a scene? I may be free.”
Pritzker and Maxwell remained in contact until at least 2013, emails show.
Read the documents reviewed by the Maroon here.
