ORLANDO, Fla. – The widow of David Siegel, the timeshare mogul and Westgate Resorts founder, shared on Tuesday that days after her husband’s death, her sister died of accidental drug overdose.
Jackie Siegel released a statement Tuesday that her “world was shattered again.”
She shared the news on the Victoria’s Voice Foundation’s Facebook page. The nonprofit was started in 2019 by Jackie Siegel and her late husband after their daughter, Victoria, died from an overdose in 2015.
“Jessica died after using cocaine laced with fentanyl. Her death is another stark reminder of the drug epidemic and fentanyl crisis plaguing our country – and the urgent need to address substance abuse in order to save lives,” the statement reads. “Our work at Victoria’s Voice remains more critical than ever, and in her memory, we will continue to raise awareness and advocate every single day until this form of grief is a distant memory in this country.”
David Siegel died Saturday morning at the age of 89. In an email sent to employees, Westgate Resorts said his last months were spent surrounded by friends and family.
“Throughout his life, as well as in his last years, David’s passion for our company, our industry and the hospitality we create was always at the forefront of his mind,” the email reads. “David never forgot his humble roots, starting Westgate in his garage and using the company as a way to lead others to become inspired and successful.”
Jackie Siegel shared that her husband was a family man who fought multiple myeloma. Despite his illness, David Siegel prioritized family experiences. Jackie said in 2024, the family received the devastating news that he likely would not live until Thanksgiving.
David battled cancer for five years, but this did not deter the family’s mission to combat the opioid epidemic.
“He devoted the last 10 years of his life to saving lives,” Jackie said.
A celebration of life for David Siegel will be held Friday, April 11, at First Baptist Church of Orlando.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Victoria’s Voice.
