ORLANDO, Fla. — Famed Florida philanthropist and hotel mogul Harris Rosen has passed away at the age of 85.
The founder of Rosen Hotels & Resorts passed away "surrounded by family and loved ones," hotel Vice President Frank Santos announced in an X post.
"A beloved father, grandfather and a pillar of our community, his boundless generosity and love touched countless lives through his unwavering commitment to helping underserved communities, promoting education, advancing the fight against cancer and supporting health and wellness initiatives," Santos said.
Throughout his life, Rosen built a legacy as one of Central Florida's leading entrepreneurs, according to a report from the University of Central Florida. He reportedly helped develop the Contemporary, Polynesian and Fort Wilderness resorts at Disney World before buying a Quality Inn on Orlando's International Drive, leading to the development of Rosen Hotels & Resorts in 1974.
Rosen's business grew into one of the Southeast’s largest independent hotel chains. According to UCF, the company currently has over 6,300 guest rooms and suites, more than 740,000 square feet of event space and more than 30 unique dining options.
One of Rosen's most notable philanthropic efforts happened after he tragically lost his youngest son, 26-year-old Adam, to brain cancer in 2018. Rosen helped establish the Adam Michael Rosen Neuro-Oncology Laboratories at the University of Florida, which creates an open space for doctors to share equipment, labs and research results to provide faster patient care and someday find a cure for cancer.
Other philanthropic contributions from Rosen include founding the Jack and Lee Rosen Jewish Community Center in southwest Orlando and providing drinking water, housing and other supplies to people in Haiti after several natural disasters.
Santos said that Rosen's family will hold a private celebration of life to honor his memory.
