JB Pritzker Biography, Jay Robert Pritzker, born January 19, 1965, is an American businessman and politician, currently serving as the 43rd governor of Illinois since January 2019. A member of the wealthy Pritzker family, which owns the Hyatt hotel chain, he has launched multiple venture capital and investment initiatives, including the Pritzker Group, where he serves as managing partner. Born in Palo Alto, California, Pritzker graduated from Milton Academy, Duke University, and Northwestern University School of Law. He co-founded Pritzker Group Private Capital and participated in various other ventures, such as the digital startup incubator 1871. In 1998, he ran for Illinois’s 9th congressional district but lost in the Democratic primary. He also chaired the Illinois Human Rights Commission from 2003 to 2006 under Governor Rod Blagojevich.
JB Pritzker Biography
J.B. Pritzker, a billionaire and the current Governor of Illinois, made headlines recently after mocking former President Donald Trump during his speech at the Democratic National Convention. Pritzker called Trump “rich in only one thing—stupidity” and questioned his ability to handle the country’s economic challenges.
JB Pritzker Biography Details
| Born | Jay Robert Pritzker
January 19, 1965 (age 60) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | M. K. Muenster
(m. 1993) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent | Donald Pritzker (father) |
| Relatives | Pritzker family |
| Residence | Illinois Governor’s Mansion |
| Education | Duke University (BA) Northwestern University (JD) |
| Occupation | Politician
businessman |
| Category | Politician Biography |
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About JB Pritzker
Jay Robert Pritzker is an American businessman and politician serving as the 43rd governor of Illinois since January 2019.
- Born: 19 January 1965 (age 60 years), Atherton, California, United States
- Net worth: 370 crores USD (2025) Forbes
- Spouse: Mary Kathryn Muenster (m. 1993)
- Party: Democratic Party
- Office: Governor of Illinois since 2019
- Children: Teddi Pritzker, Donny Pritzker
Early Life, Family, and Education
Pritzker was born in Palo Alto, California, on January 19, 1965, to Donald and Sue Pritzker. As a member of the prominent Pritzker family, which has Jewish Ukrainian roots, he was named after his paternal uncles, Jay and Robert Pritzker, and is often referred to as “JB.” His grandfather, Abe Pritzker, was a business lawyer, and his father, Donald, was the president of Hyatt Hotels until his sudden death in 1972.
His mother, Sue, passed away in an accident in 1982. Pritzker’s siblings include Anthony Pritzker and former U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Penny Pritzker. Pritzker has stated that overseas trusts, set up by his grandfather and intended for charitable purposes, provide no personal benefit to him. The Pritzker family has regularly ranked among the wealthiest families in America since the founding of Forbes‘ “America’s Richest Families” list in 1982.
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Who is J.B. Pritzker?
J.B. Pritzker is an American politician, businessman, attorney, and philanthropist. He has been serving as the 43rd governor of Illinois since 2019. A member of the prominent Pritzker family, which owns the Hyatt hotel chain, he has launched several venture capital and investment startups, including the Pritzker Group, where he serves as managing partner.
A strong supporter of the Democratic Party, Pritzker became the Democratic nominee for governor of Illinois in the 2018 election. He defeated Republican incumbent Bruce Rauner in the general election and took office on January 14, 2019. Pritzker was reelected in 2022. In 2024, Pritzker was speculated as a potential running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris in the upcoming presidential election.
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Family Background
Born on January 19, 1965, in Palo Alto, California, Pritzker is the son of Sue and Donald Pritzker. He comes from the influential Pritzker family, which is of Jewish Ukrainian descent. The family has been prominent in business and philanthropy since the late 20th century. Pritzker was named after his paternal uncles, Robert and Jay Pritzker.
His grandfather, Abe Pritzker, was a business lawyer. The family has consistently ranked among the wealthiest in America since Forbes started its “America’s Richest Families” list in 1982. Donald Pritzker, J.B.’s father, was the president of Hyatt Hotels before passing away in 1972 at the age of 39. His mother, Sue, tragically died in an accident in 1982. J.B. has two older siblings: Anthony Pritzker and Penny Pritzker, the former U.S. Secretary of Commerce.
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Political Career
Pritzker’s political career began in the 1980s when he worked on the legislative staffs of U.S. Senator Terry Sanford, U.S. Senator Alan J. Dixon, and U.S. Representative Tom Lantos, prioritizing trade and transportation issues. He also founded the Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century, a national organization aimed at attracting younger voters to the Democratic Party.
From 2003 to 2006, Pritzker chaired the Illinois Human Rights Commission. He also supported Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign in 2008, serving as a national co-chairman, and played a key role in uniting the Obama and Clinton campaigns in Illinois during the same election.
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Governorship
Pritzker was inaugurated as the 43rd governor of Illinois on January 14, 2019, with an estimated net worth of $3.6 billion, making him the wealthiest politician in the U.S. He began his second term on January 9, 2023.
JB Pritzker Net Worth 2025
J.B. Pritzker’s net worth is currently estimated at $3.5 billion.