Photos for Headline Surfer / TOP: David Siegel, founder of Westgate Resorts, is shown on a panel with Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, discussing his advocacy with Victoria's Voice Foundation, named for his daughter, Victoria Siegel, 18 (shown at left), who died in July 2015, from a drug overdose. David Siegel, 89, died earlier today, April 5, 2025, his resort announced. BELOW: Sheriff Dennis Lemma is shown with David Siegel Jr, in a Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) 2024 fall conference in Orlando. Lemma is a Victoria’s Voice Foundation board member and president of MCSA.
By HENRY FREDERICK / Headline Surfer
ORLANDO, Fla. -- David Sigel, the billionaire founder of Westgate Resorts in Orlando who passed away today at 89, is being remembered not only as an influential hotelier but also for his advocacy in memory of his daughter, who succumbed to a drug overdose.
Siegel was an accomplished businessman and the founder of Westgate Resorts, who also helped fight the opioid epidemic following the loss of his daughter Victoria, 18, who died on June 6, 2015, from acute methadone and sertraline toxicity, according to the medical examiner's report.
"I’m very sad to share that today, we mourn the loss of an extraordinary individual, David Siegel," Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma posted on his Facebook page. "Not only was he an incredible entrepreneur and businessman, but his advocacy work following the tragic loss of his daughter, Victoria, to an overdose has profoundly changed the landscape of addiction awareness and treatment.
"David Siegel's tireless efforts were instrumental in promoting the use of the life-saving drug Narcan among first responders, including our agency," Sheriff David Lemma said in a follow-up mid-day phone interview with Headline Surfer. "His passion and commitment to making a difference have saved countless lives and inspired many of us to continue the fight against addiction." David and Jackie Siegel’s 18-year-old daughter Victoria died in June 2015 of an accidental drug overdose, leading her parents to establish the Victoria’s Voice Foundation in 2019. The foundation, which Lemma has served on since 2021, provides drug education and addiction-prevention support to meet the needs of communities and at-risk families.
"I had the privilege of getting to know David well over the years," Lemma said, "and I am grateful for the time we spent together and all I learned from him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew, respected, and admired him - and all the lives that have been saved because of his advocacy efforts."
"David Siegel's tireless efforts were instrumental in promoting the use of the life-saving drug Narcan among first responders, including our agency," Sheriff David Lemma said in a follow-up mid-day phone interview with Headline Surfer.
"His passion and commitment to making a difference have saved countless lives and inspired many of us to continue the fight against addiction." David and Jackie Siegel’s 18-year-old daughter Victoria died in June 2015 of an accidental drug overdose, leading her parents to establish the Victoria’s Voice Foundation in 2019. The foundation, which Lemma has served on since 2021, provides drug education and addiction-prevention support to meet the needs of communities and at-risk families.
"I had the privilege of getting to know David well over the years," Lemma said, "and I am grateful for the time we spent together and all I learned from him. His legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew, respected, and admired him - and all the lives that have been saved because of his advocacy efforts."
Amy Pennock, the Seminole County Supervisor of Elections, echoed Lemma's sentiments.
"Such a sad loss for our community," Pennock said. "May his legacy of caring and giving live on through all those he and his foundation have touched."
Siegel’s death was confirmed in a company email to employees this morning. It read in part, “It is with profound sadness that we announce that our founder, executive chairman, and friend David Siegel passed away this morning at the age of 89. David’s last months were spent surrounded by his loving wife Jacqueline, his children, and his extended family and closest friends.”
Two years ago, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed SB 66, known as “Victoria’s Law,” which designates June 6 as “Revive Awareness Day. " This law encourages the state health department to hold more events to raise awareness of the safe use of opioid counteractives and warn of the dangers of overdoses. Following this, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings proclaimed June 6 as "Orange County Naloxone Awareness Day."
The Siegels had also advocated for the federal Comprehensive Addition and Recovery Act, which was signed into law in 2016, and managed to have June 6 federally designated as “National Naloxone Awareness Day,” according to Victoria’s Voice.
“She’d be very proud of the work our parents have done and the work we’ve done spreading the awareness because every single life matters,” David Siegel Jr. said in 2024. “(...) Our sister’s legacy is to save as many lives as possible and make sure that no family has to go through what we had to go through with losing her.”
As an Army Veteran, the elder Siegel donated more than 28,000 complimentary vacations to members of the US Armed Services as a thank-you for their service to our country. The Westgate Foundation recently distributed grants of $1.5 million to community-focused organizations across the United States.
David Siegel was the proud husband of Jacqueline and father of 13 children, 12 grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren. He was also responsible for creating thousands of jobs, including for the 8,500 team members who currently work for the company. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Victoria’s Voice. Siegel founded the timeshare resort company in 1982 and oversaw its expansion from Orlando to Miami Beach and outside of Florida to locations in Arizona, Virginia, and Utah, among other places. In a release, Westgate Resorts Chief Executive Officer Jim Gissy said, "David worked hard to leave us a company that will continue to preserve its family origins and the significant resources and ambition to instill joy in the lives we touch through the hospitality we provide."
David Siegel was the proud husband of Jacqueline and father of 13 children, 12 grandchildren, and stepgrandchildren. He was also responsible for creating thousands of jobs, including for the 8,500 team members who currently work for the company. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Victoria’s Voice. Siegel founded the timeshare resort company in 1982 and oversaw its expansion from Orlando to Miami Beach and outside of Florida to locations in Arizona, Virginia, and Utah, among other places.
In a release, Westgate Resorts Chief Executive Officer Jim Gissy said, "David worked hard to leave us a company that will continue to preserve its family origins and the significant resources and ambition to instill joy in the lives we touch through the hospitality we provide."
Siegel and his wife Jacqueline founded Victoria's Voice Foundation after their daughter Victoria died of a drug overdose in June 2015. The foundation seeks to prevent substance abuse and drug overdose deaths. Victoria's Voice Foundation News.
About the Headline Surfer Byline Writer: Henry Frederick is an award-winning journalist who launched Headline Surfer in 2008, which serves greater Daytona Beach, Sanford & Orlando via