Summary:
- Donna Marriott, wife of former Marriott CEO Bill Marriott, dies at 90.
- They married in 1955 and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.
- She was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
DONNA RAE GARFF Marriott, wife of former Marriott International CEO J.W. “Bill” Marriott Jr., died Dec. 30 at age 90. She is survived by her husband and remembered as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Born June 10, 1935, in Evanston, Illinois, Donna Marriott grew up in Salt Lake City and attended the University of Utah, where she met Bill, son of Marriott founder J. Willard Marriott. They married in 1955 and recently celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary, Marriott said in an obituary statement.
"I first met the girl of my dreams sitting on a bench at a bus stop at the University of Utah," said Bill Marriott, the current chairman emeritus of Marriott International. "She has blessed my life and the lives our children and grandchildren for over 70 years. It has been a joyful marriage and partnership. I will dearly miss her. I love her with all of my heart."
A member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Donna Marriott served in church leadership roles, including primary president and Relief Society counselor, the statement said. She also served as chair of the American Heart Association’s annual Heart Luncheon in Washington, D.C.
Donna Marriott is survived by her husband, Bill; children Debbie and her husband, Ron; John and his wife, Muriel; David and his wife, Carrie; and daughters-in-law Juliana Marriott and Angela Marriott.
"Donna's kindness and devotion touched everyone who knew her," said Anthony Capuano, Marriott’s president and chief executive officer. "She exemplified grace and strength, and her love for family was evident in everything she did. Our hearts are with Marriott, David, Debbie, John and the entire Marriott family as they navigate this profound loss."
The national nonprofit Shatterproof recently named Capuano a 2026 Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes honoree for his leadership and advocacy raising awareness of substance use disorders and addressing addiction stigma in the hospitality industry.
