The Marriott Family is synonymous with success and excellence in the hospitality industry. Today, they are best known for their lines of internationally renowned hotels. However, the Marriott family’s business roots trace back to 1927, when husband-and-wife team John and Alice Marriott opened their first root beer shop. This eventually grew into a chain of Hot Shoppe restaurants. John Willard Marriott was born in 1900 and grew up in Utah. He married Alice the same year they opened their first Hot Shoppe. As he built his hotel empire, William Marriott earned a reputation for being a tireless worker. He often personally inspected every property at least four times a year to make sure everything was being done properly. Even while raising their two sons, John Willard (Bill) Jr and Richard, Alice Marriott was active in the company. She served as the bookkeeper for the Hot Shoppes and stayed involved through the transition to Marriott Inc. Bill Jr. was born in 1932 and joined the Marriott Corporation in 1956. He succeeded his father as CEO of the company in 1972 and became Chair of Board of Directors in 1985. He currently serves as Executive Chairman and Chairman of the Board of Marriott International. He and his wife Donna Garff have four children. Richard Marriott serves as Chairman of the board for Host Hotels & Resorts.
