Marriott CEO Sorenson, 62, dies after battle with cancer

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Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson, who grew the company into the world’s largest hotel chain and steered it through a global pandemic that has been catastrophic for the travel industry, died Monday, officials with the Bethesda-based hospitality giant said Tuesday. He was 62.

Sorenson reduced his schedule at Marriott this month to pursue a more aggressive cancer treatment. He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019; a recent routine scan had confirmed the cancer had returned, the company said.

When Sorenson stepped back from full-time duties this month, Marriott turned to two veteran executives, Stephanie Linnartz and Tony Capuano, to oversee day-to-day operations. They will continue in those roles until Marriott’s board names a new CEO, which is expected to happen within two weeks, the company said.

J.W. Marriott Jr., the company’s executive chairman, said Sorenson loved every aspect of the hotel business and relished traveling and meeting employees around the world. Marriott has 30 hotel brands, including Ritz-Carlton, Sheraton and Westin, and more than 7,000 properties worldwide.

“Arne was an exceptional executive – but more than that – he was an exceptional human being,” said Marriott said in a prepared statement Tuesday.

Sorenson was the first Marriott CEO whose name was not Marriott and only the third to lead the company in its 93-year history.

Sorenson joined the company in 1996, leaving behind a partnership in a Washington law firm where he specialized in mergers and acquisitions. He rose to president and chief operating officer before he was named CEO in 2012.

After becoming Marriott’s top executive, he oversaw the $13 billion acquisition of Starwood Hotels in 2016. He pushed the international chain to become more sustainable while also trying to combat human trafficking. He advocated for gay rights and opposed President Donald Trump’s 2017 ban on travel from majority Muslim countries

Even at the depths of the coronavirus pandemic, when Marriott’s revenue plunged more than 70%, Sorenson remained optimistic.

“The fact of the matter is, people love to travel. They love to travel for themselves personally and they love to travel for work,” Sorenson said in November. “It’s often the most interesting and it’s the place they’re going to learn the most.”

Tributes poured in Tuesday from business and civic leaders, including Gov. Larry Hogan and U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin. CNBC host Jim Cramer said in a Twitter post that Sorenson believed business was the greatest source for social change.

“Arne Sorenson was a true visionary who did tremendous things for Marriott and the state of Maryland,” Hogan said. “In 2019, I had the honor of awarding Arne with the Governor’s International Leadership Award for all of his work and contributions to the community. It was only weeks later when we learned that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Even as he fought this battle throughout 2020, Arne agreed to be part of our Maryland Coronavirus Recovery Task Force, where he was characteristically generous with his time and insight about safely reopening our state.

“Arne was such an incredible guy, and I was lucky enough to call him a friend. On behalf of all Marylanders, the first lady and I extend our deepest condolences to the Sorenson family, and to the entire Marriott organization,” Hogan added.

Sorenson first met Bill Marriott, executive chairman of Marriott International, in 1992 while representing the company in a lawsuit as a partner at Latham & Watkins. In 1996 he joined the company as the head of the mergers and acquisition team.

“It was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he said in 2019 when he was honored as an Icon by The Daily Record.

Sorenson was also a champion for diversity and inclusion efforts.

“At Marriott International, diversity and inclusion are ingrained in our culture as a global company,” he said in 2019. “There are more than 730,000 people in 134 countries and territories who wear a Marriott name badge and over a million guests from all of those places that stay with us every night. For us, welcoming all is critical to our business.”

Montgomery County Executive Elrich called Sorenson a “pillar of strength in Montgomery County’s business community” and praised his leadership in leading the corporation through years of growth, and more recently, through the COVID pandemic.

“Arne’s vision, drive for excellence and calm demeanor were admired by those within Marriott and the broader business community,” Elrich said. “The fighting spirit he displayed over the past few years as he battled pancreatic cancer was second to none.”

Airbnb founder and CEO Brian Chesky, who might have been considered a rival in the competitive hospitality industry, said Sorenson had always been helpful to him. Sorenson and Chesky spent time hosting each others’ leadership teams, Chesky said, and the two CEOs supported each other during the pandemic.

“He will be missed,” Chesky tweeted. General Motors Chairman and CEO Mary Barra also tweeted, “He was a wonderful leader who led with empathy, integrity and authenticity.”

Sorenson also served on Microsoft’s board of directors as well as the board of directors for the Special Olympics.

He is survived by his wife, Ruth, and four adult children.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.