Marriott CEO Sorenson Dead at 62
The head of the world’s largest hotel chain was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May 2019
Arne Sorenson, president and CEO of Marriott International Inc., died on Sunday, after an almost two-year battle with pancreatic cancer, according to an announcement issued by the company Tuesday.
In May 2019, Sorenson disclosed that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Earlier this month, he had announced he would be reducing his schedule to allow for more aggressive treatment.
“Mr. Sorenson became the third CEO in Marriott’s history in 2012, and the first without the Marriott surname,” the hotel group said in a statement. “A visionary leader, Mr. Sorenson put the company on a strong growth trajectory that included the $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels & Resorts.”
The two executives who had been designated to run the business during Sorenson’s treatment – Stephanie Linnartz, group president, consumer operations, technology and emerging businesses, and Tony Capuano, group president, global development, design and operations services – will continue to head up the company until the board appoints a new CEO, a move which is expected within one to two weeks.
