15-04-2025
Elaine Wynn, Las Vegas casino co-founder, dies at 82
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Elaine Wynn, a prominent philanthropist who co-founded a casino empire in Las Vegas with her ex-husband Steve Wynn, passed away at the age of 82, according to a release from the Elaine Wynn and Family Foundation.
'She played an instrumental role in shaping the modern-day Las Vegas, from the Golden Nugget where she infused glitter gulch with a little luxury, to The Mirage, establishing the paradigm for everything that followed, including Bellagio, Wynn and Encore resorts,' the release announcing her death read.
'She understood that Las Vegas was not just a destination; it was an experience—an ever-evolving tapestry woven with threads of art, culture, and the human spirit.'
The release, which was sent at around 6 a.m. Tuesday morning, did not list a cause of death.
'As we remember Elaine Wynn, we celebrate a life lived with purpose—a life that embracedthe extraordinary potential of Las Vegas, a city she truly loved. Her legacy will echo throughthe vibrant streets and the stories of those she touched,' the release stated.
The largest individual shareholder of Wynn Resorts, Wynn's impact extended beyond Las Vegas. At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), Wynn championed accessibility to the arts, helping to enhance the cultueral fabric of the community.
'Her leadership was characterized by grace and ambition, ensuring that art remained an essential part of our shared experience,' the release read.
Wynn recently announced a collaboration with Pritzker Prize-winning architect Francis Kere to build the Las Vegas Art Museum, another example of her commitment, not just to the cultural arts, but to Las Vegas itself.
Through the Elaine P. Wynn and Family Foundation, Wynn supported community organizations that aligned with her passions, including improving children's lives through education.
Wynn co-chaired Nevada's Blue Ribbon Education Reform Task Force in 2011 and served on Nevada's State Board of Education, even elected as its President twice.
The release stated that Wynn's family was her greatest pride. She was a mother to two daughters, Kevyn and Gillian, and a grandmother of seven grandchildren.
'In the heart and soul of Las Vegas, she will forever reign, not as Ms. Las Vegas, but as a visionary who turned possibilities into realities, inspiring all who followed in her footsteps.'
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