“Elaine Wynn was more than a businesswoman and philanthropist; she was a force of nature — a curator of dreams in a city built on aspirations.”
Elaine Wynn at Mirage closure last year
So wrote the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation in announcing her death Tuesday morning at the age of 82, along with a lengthy statement and obituary on her life.
Many Las Vegans celebrate her for teaming with her then-husband Steve in helping transform the Strip with the opening of The Mirage and later Wynn Las Vegas and her philanthropic efforts, especially when it comes to education.
“From her early days on the vibrant shores of Miami Beach to her pivotal role in the glittering landscape of Las Vegas, Ms. Wynn’s journey was marked by an indomitable spirit,” her foundation said. “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. Each project reflected her creative sense and impeccable taste. But her most lasting contribution is the people-first culture she always prioritized. Her unwavering empathy for her colleagues and employees is undeniably the magic quality she infused in everything she touched.”
As the largest individual shareholder of Wynn Resorts at the time, the foundation noted that Wynn wielded significant influence, not just as an investor, but as “a steward of a vision that transcended mere entertainment. 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.”
Teaming with Steve Wynn, their combined vision created the 3,000-room Mirage that opened in November 1989 and transformed the Strip from one of just gambling to emphasize non-gaming amenities. The resort cost $630 million and was the most expensive built in the world at the time.
David Schwartz, gaming historian at UNLV, said Wynn had a huge role in the history of Las Vegas from the 1970s onward. She came to town with Steve and was an integral part of his team at the Golden Nugget, Mirage Resorts, and Wynn Resorts. “She was a very large figure in Las Vegas history just with her involvement with The Mirage and Wynn Resorts. Add her philanthropic work, not just in education but museums as well, and you see someone who made an impact far beyond casinos.”
In Las Vegas, her philanthropy encompassed schools and she chaired the UNLV Foundation.
“She was one of the people that helped the school on its drive to become a research (center) and top-tier university,” Schwartz said.
That was echoed by Becky Harris, former chair of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and a UNLV law professor, who called her “an incredible philanthropist.” “Her desire to improve educational opportunities for all of Nevada’s children was unparalleled,” Harris said.
“Her advocacy for UNLV and education at all levels in Las Vegas could be seen in her dedication and generosity as a founding member of the UNLV Board of Trustees and active engagement with the university for 25 years, including her tenure as board chair,” a statement from UNLV said.
Kirk Hendrick, current chair of the Gaming Control Board called Wynn gracious and a class act. “Elaine Wynn’s remarkable achievements in gaming and her lifelong devotion to education and the arts enriched the lives of countless Nevadans. “On behalf of everyone at the Nevada Gaming Control Board, we send our deepest sympathies to all of her family and friends.”
Wynn Resorts executives released a statement Tuesday saying they’re deeply saddened over the passing of Wynn, and sent their condolences to her daughters, grandchildren, and her many close friends.
“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,” the statement said. “Her many talents and special touches are indelibly imprinted on the company and still evident throughout our resorts.”
The statement said Wynn cared deeply about the employees. 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.”
Her impact extended far beyond the Las Vegas experience.
At the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Wynn championed accessibility to the arts, a commitment that enhanced the cultural fabric of the community. “Her leadership was characterized by grace and ambition, ensuring that art remained an essential part of our shared experience,” said the foundation’s statement.
Her recently announced collaboration with Pritzker Prize winning architect Francis Kere to build the Las Vegas Art Museum in partnership with LACMA was another example of her commitment to the cultural arts in Las Vegas, the foundation said.
“Yet amid her many accomplishments, her family remained her greatest pride,” the foundation said. “Ms. Wynn was a devoted mother to her daughters, Kevyn and Gillian, and a beloved grandmother to her seven grandchildren. In every conversation, her love for them shone brightly, reflecting the values of creativity, perseverance, and compassion that she instilled in their hearts.”
In Nevada, the past five governors called on her to lead education initiatives. She co-chaired Nevada’s Blue Ribbon Education Reform Task Force in 2011, resulting in significant reform legislation, the foundation said. She served on Nevada’s State Board of Education, twice elected as its president.
“Additionally, Wynn chaired the UNLV Foundation, demonstrating her strong devotion to higher education,” the foundation said. “She was a constant and engaging presence at the Elaine Wynn Elementary School.”
Wynn also dedicated herself to the mission of Communities In Schools (CIS), working as chairman to provide resources for children to thrive. During her tenure, CIS expanded its reach to over 1.7 million students across 2,900 schools in 26 states, the foundation said.
“Her service on the board of Activision Blizzard spoke to her belief in the transformative power of creativity and innovation, underscoring her unbridled curiosity. As a trustee of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, she helped expand the roster of artists and the reach of audiences.”
Wynn’s last major public appearance was in July when she spoke at an event celebrating the closure of The Mirage. “It’s a very poignant moment for me and I didn’t realize the impact of it until I walked into the door,” Wynn said at the ceremony. “Listen. This is what we do in Las Vegas. We reinvest. We refresh and we keep Las Vegas as one of the most exciting cities in the entire world. We don’t let our buildings get too old. We just let the bosses get too old.”
Wynn said their previous ownership of the Golden Nugget was a wonderful experience, but the couple wanted to join “the other guys and gals here on the Strip to do something spectacular and innovative.” That gave them the opportunity to let their imaginations run wild. Up until that time, Las Vegas was about a desert motif and culture with the Sands, Sahara, Dunes, and Desert Inn, Wynn said. Steve Wynn wanted to create “dynamic tension” that makes people go wow. That became the notion of erecting a tropical paradise with magical gardens, exploding volcanoes, dolphins, and Siegfried & Roy.
Wynn recalled the day the property opened on Nov. 22, 1989, and when crowds rushed in, they looked at the atrium, stopped and applauded.
“It was such a magnificent validation of all of the work, energy, time, and love we invested in this property. That will remain one of the most significant things I’ve ever witnessed. Of course, they proceeded to run into the building and rush to the machines and made us profitable from day one, which was also wonderful.”
Alan Feldman, a fellow at the UNLV International Gaming Institute who spent 30 years in the industry, said Wynn was a mentor and he was forever changed by her. He asked her questions and she was “an incredible teacher at heart.” He tried to watch and emulate her, which helped make him the person he is. “Honest to God, I ‘ve had the great privilege of working with a lot of smart people and Elaine may have been the smartest and most intellectual of them all. No one could top her.”
As people remember Wynn, the foundation said in closing, it’s a celebration of a life lived with purpose, “a life that embraced the extraordinary potential of Las Vegas, a city she truly loved. Her legacy will echo through the vibrant streets and the stories of those she touched. 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.”
