Linda Pritzker

Grandchild of A.N. Pritzker (d. 1986), who, with sons Jay (d. 1999) and Robert, created industrial conglomerate Marmon (sales: $7 billion) and hotel chain Hyatt (735 hotels worldwide). Plan to pass control of empire to Jay's son Tom, cousin Nick and niece Penny collapsed in 2001; family agreed to split empire 11 ways, drawing lawsuit by Robert's 2 youngest children, Matthew and Liesel. Settled for $1 billion. Dynastic carve-up in full swing. Sold undisclosed stake in Hyatt to the Walton family's private equity firm, Madrone Capital, and Goldman Sachs for $1 billion last August. Five months later sold 60% of Marmon to Berkshire Hathaway for $4.5 billion; will sell remainder by 2014. Has a net worth of $1.7 billion, but she doesn’t involve herself in the family business. Instead, hers is the spiritual path of Tibetan Buddhism. Going by the name Lama Tsomo, she founded the Namchak Foundation, offering Buddhist meditation practice and retreats. She is also an occasional donor to liberal political causes.