Jennifer Natalya Pritzker (born James Nicholas Pritzker in 1950) is a billionaire investor and philanthropist, and a member of the Pritzker family. Pritzker retired as a Lieutenant Colonel from the United States Army in 2001, and was later made an honorary Colonel in the Illinois Army National Guard. Creator of the Tawani Foundation in 1995, Tawani Enterprises in 1996, and the Pritzker Military Library in 2003, Pritzker has been devoted to civic applications of inherited and accrued wealth, including through significant donations aimed at broadening understanding and support for “citizen soldiers.” In August 2013, Pritzker released a statement to individuals associated with two business and philanthropic organizations that subsequently received wide media coverage, indicating the change from “J.N.” to “Jennifer Natalya” as reflecting her being a transgender woman.
Early life and education
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This section needs expansion with: coverage of what the section title states, early life and education, i.e., activities in first 24 years of life, up to enlistment in the Army in February 1974. You can help by adding to it. (January 2016) |
Jennifer Pritzker was born James Nicholas Pritzker to the Jewish family of Audrey (née Gilbert) and Robert Pritzker of Chicago, Illinois,[citation needed] and so was a grandchild of A.N. Pritzker. She has two siblings, Linda Pritzker (b. 1953) and Karen Pritzker Vlock (b. 1958). Her parents divorced in 1979, and she has two half-siblings, Matthew Pritzker and Liesel Pritzker Simmons, from the remarriage of her father, Robert, to Irene Dryburgh in 1980. (Her mother also remarried, to Albert B. Ratner in 1981.)
Pritzker says one of her most memorable experiences in life were in Israel in October 1973 when she witnessed events of the Yom Kippur War.
College and enlisted service
Pritzker enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 8, 1974, and served with the HQ Troop, and with the B Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, both in the 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, rising to the rank of Sergeant. Pritzker’s roles while enlisted included aviation repair parts clerk, rifleman, and fire team leader. After completing military service in February 1977, Pritzker enrolled at Loyola University of Chicago,[when?] majoring in history, and entered its Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program. Pritzker graduated with a BA in History in May 1979, and received commission as an Army officer that same month.
| Jennifer Natalya Pritzker | |
|---|---|
| Born | James Nicholas Pritzker 1950 (age 66–67) |
| Nationality | United States |
| Education | B.A. Loyola University (Chicago) |
| Occupation | investor and philanthropist |
| Known for | Creating Tawani Foundation, Pritzker Military Library |
| Net worth |  US$ 1.7 billion (January 2016) |
| Spouse(s) | divorced |
| Children | daughter Tal Hava Pritzker (with unnamed first wife) sons Andrew, William (with Lisa I. Goren) |
| Parent(s) | Robert Pritzker Audrey Gilbert |
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