Linda Pritzker

Linda Pritzker

Linda Pritzker (Lama Tsomo) in 2014
Born 1953
Nationality United States
Other names
  • Lama Tsomo
Occupation Tibetan Lama, Author[1]
Known for Inheritance, Buddhism
Net worth Increase US$ 1.77 billion (October 2016)[2]
Religion Tibetan Buddhist
Children three
Parent(s) Audrey Gilbert
Robert Pritzker

Linda Pritzker (born 1953) is an American lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, author, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation and Namchak Retreat Ranch in Missoula, Montana. She is a member of the Pritzker family, known for the Hyatt Hotel fortune, and is also known by the name Lama Tsomo.[3]

Early life

Pritzker was born in 1953 in Oberlin, Ohio, the second of three children born to Jewish-American businessman, Robert Pritzker,[4][5] and Audrey Gilbert.[6][7] She has two siblings: Jennifer N. Pritzker (b. James, 1950),[8] a retired Lt Colonel in the U.S. Army and founder of the Pritzker Military Library,[9] and Karen Pritzker (b. 1958).

Her parents divorced in 1979.[5] In 1981, her mother remarried Albert B. Ratner, the co-chairman of Cleveland-based real estate developer Forest City Enterprises.[6][7] In 1980, her father remarried to Irene Dryburgh with whom he had two children: Matthew Pritzker and Liesel Pritzker Simmons.[5]

Career

After earning a master's degree in Counseling Psychology and working as a psychotherapist for several years, Pritzker began a spiritual path to Tibetan Buddhism.[10]

Pritzker was ordained a lama[2] in February 2005 by Tulku Sangak Rinpoche, a Tibetan meditation master and world holder of the Namchak Lineage, a branch of the Nyingma path of Tibetan Buddhism.[3] She began studying with Rinpoche in 1995 and became fluent in Tibetan.[11] Her journey to Buddhist practices has been documented by ABC News' Dan Harris in his podcast 10% Happier.[12]

She is the author of The Princess Who Wept Pearls: The Feminine Journey in Fairy Tales [13] and Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner's Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice[14] with a foreword written by His Holiness the Dalai Lama himself.[11]

Today, much of Pritzker's work revolves around the Namchak Foundation. While the Namchak Retreat Ranch is still under construction,[15] Namchak has begun teaching students an introduction to meditation through the "Always Smiling" eCourse.[16]

Pritzker has been listed on the Forbes 400. As of October 2016, she was listed at 374 with a net worth of $1.77 billion.[2]

Personal life

Pritzker is divorced and has three children. She lives in Missoula, Montana.[1] She is a Tibetan Buddhist.[2]

Publications

References

  1. 1 2 van Gelder, Sarah. "How an American lama finds joy during turbulent times". Retrieved 11 February 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Forbes: The World's Billionaires - Linda Pritzker October 2016
  3. 1 2 "Who is Lama Tsomo". Namchak. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  4. Linda Pritzker, Forbes (October 2006)
  5. 1 2 3 CNN Money: "THE PRITZKERS UNVEILING A PRIVATE FAMILY Can you believe it? These billionaires actually like each other. But as Pritzkers proliferate, a worry arises: Can they maintain their striking success – and keep everyone happy?", Ford S. Worthy, April 25, 1988
  6. 1 2 Yale University: "Slow readers, creative thinkers: gift will spur dyslexia studies - New center will explore links between reading problems, creativity" retrieved December 21, 2012
  7. 1 2 Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: "Biography of the Ratner Family" retrieved December 21, 2012
  8. Geidner, Chris (August 23, 2013). "Billionaire Backer Of Open Transgender Military Service Comes Out As Transgender". BuzzFeed. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  9. Pritzker Military Library website: "Colonel (IL) J. N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired)" retrieved December 21, 2012
  10. "Linda Pritzker Lama Tsomo". Linda Pritzker. August 21, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  11. 1 2 Chaney, Rob. "Buddhist teacher expands Tibetan tradition in Montana". The Missoulian. Retrieved 4 April 2016.
  12. Effron, Lauren. "Hotel Heiress-Turned-Tibetan Buddhist Lama on Navigating Life Toward Happiness". ABC News. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  13. 1 2 "The Princess Who Wept Pearls".
  14. 1 2 "Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner's Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice".
  15. "Namchak Retreat Ranch". Namchak LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
  16. "Join the Community - Meditation Resources". Lama Tsomo LLC. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
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