News of her passing broke yesterday (April 15), with Wynn Resorts confirming the news in a short statement. Wynn and her ex-husband Steve Wynn (pictured together) played a major role in shaping the Las Vegas Strip.
The pair co-founded Golden Nugget Companies, later renamed Mirage Resorts, in 1973. This followed Steve Wynn taking majority control of the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas.
The company went on to open its first major casino, The Mirage, in 1989. This was followed by Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in 1993 and the Bellagio in 1998. The latter two are still standing on the Las Vegas Strip, while The Mirage was demolished last year.
Mirage Resorts was eventually sold to MGM Grand Inc. in 2000, after which Wynn Resorts was founded. The company, in which Elaine was a major shareholder, went on to establish properties around the world.
Wynn Resorts’ current portfolio includes locations in Las Vegas, Massachusetts, London and Macau in China. It also has a resort due to open in the United Arab Emirates in early 2027.
Elaine Wynn: More Than Just Casinos
Away from gambling, Wynn was known as an art collector, philanthropist and education reformer.
Wynn was appointed to the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts by President Barack Obama in 2011. She also served as the co-chair of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
In terms of her contributions to education, Wynn co-founded Communities In Schools (CIS) in Nevada in 1993. The organization provides student support services to at-risk youth.
She was also on the board of trustees at the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation and was involved with the UNLV Foundation at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Wynn Resorts ‘Deeply Saddened’
In its statement, Wynn Resorts said it was “deeply saddened” by the news of Elaine’s passing.
“As co-founder and one of the largest shareholders of Wynn Resorts, she helped to create and grow the company to become the most esteemed luxury resort brand in the world,” Wynn Resorts said. “Her many talents and special touches are indelibly imprinted on the company and still evident throughout our resorts.
“Elaine cared deeply about the employees of our resorts. The current and former employees who worked alongside her to create Wynn and Encore Las Vegas cherish the many fond memories they have of her, especially of when they opened Wynn Las Vegas with her 20 years ago this month.
“She was a tireless advocate for Las Vegas, for children and their education, and for the arts. We’re grateful that the enduring sense of philanthropy she instilled in our company continues to this day.”
The cause of her death has not been disclosed.
