ORLANDO, Fla. – David Siegel, the founder of Westgate Resorts, was a husband, father, and the man behind a vast business empire.
However, at home, he was simply David—a man who cherished his wife and eight kids, and kept a watchful eye on the electric bill.
Jackie Siegel fondly remembered a conversation with her late husband David, where he humorously asked her to turn off the lights if she loved him despite her preference for ambiance. This light-hearted moment showcased their love and playfulness.
David Siegel, a devoted family man, bravely battled multiple myeloma while always putting his family first. In 2024, the family received heartbreaking news that David’s time with them was limited, and he might not live to see Thanksgiving.
“All of a sudden on Christmas Day, he said, ‘I want to take them to Park City to go on a ski trip and Las Vegas,’ and we did,” she said.
David battled cancer for five years, but this did not deter the family’s mission to combat the opioid epidemic.
“He devoted the last ten years of his life to saving lives,” Jackie said.
In 2015, the Siegel family faced a devastating loss when their daughter Victoria passed away from a fentanyl overdose. This tragic event fueled their determination to equip law enforcement with Narcan to combat opioid-related deaths. Together, they founded the Victoria’s Voice Foundation to address the pressing issue of the opioid crisis.
“I’m going to carry on his legacy. This is what he wanted me to do,” Jackie said.
Jackie also plans to expand their legacy to include advocating for cancer research. She intends to use the lessons learned during David’s battle to assist other families facing similar challenges.
“He really energized our family, and he wants me to use Versailles to raise awareness and save lives,” she said.
Versailles, the mansion the Siegels have been building since the early 2000s, is nearly finished.
“We took him there a few weeks ago, and he was so impressed. I was getting it ready for his 90th birthday. It was like his dream come true. And to see now that our oldest sons helped complete it,” Jackie said.
In November, the Broadway show “The Queen of Versailles” will open, and Jackie expressed her gratitude that David and Victoria’s stories will continue to reach new audiences through the production.
Jackie is also planning a celebration of life for David on Friday and will post details on her Instagram, “Queen of Versailles.”
Instead of flowers, the family requests donations to the Victoria’s Voice Foundation to continue their mission of saving lives.
For anyone interested in learning more about their battle against the opioid epidemic, Jackie encourages visiting their YouTube channel and watching “The Princess of Versailles,” which highlights their journey and advocacy efforts.
Jackie is turning her pain into purpose, emphasizing that the time to start is now.
“And now he’s my guardian angel. He’s going to make sure we save lives. He’s not going to let me rest… gotta get to work now,” she said.
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