Linda Pritzker | |
|---|---|
 Linda Pritzker (Lama Tsomo) in 2014 | |
| Born | September 1953 (age 70) Oberlin, Ohio, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names |
|
| Occupation(s) | Tibetan Lama, Author[1] |
| Known for | Inheritance, Buddhism |
| Children | 3 |
| Parent | Robert Pritzker (father) |
Linda Pritzker (born September 1953[2]) also known by the name Lama Tsomo is an American lama in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition. She is a spiritual teacher, author, philanthropist, and co-founder of the Namchak Foundation and Namchak Retreat Ranch[3] in Missoula, Montana. She is a member of the Pritzker family, known for the Hyatt Hotel fortune.
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 full siblings: Jennifer N. Pritzker (b. James, 1950),[8] a retired lieutenant 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, her half siblings: Matthew Pritzker and Liesel Pritzker Simmons.[5]
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[11] 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.[12] She began studying with Rinpoche in 1995 and became fluent in Tibetan.[13] Her journey to Buddhist practices has been documented by ABC News' Dan Harris in his podcast 10% Happier.[14]
She is the author of the Ancient Wisdom for our Times Tibetan Buddhist Practice Series,[15] including Book 1 Why Bother: An Introduction,[16] Book 2 Wisdom and Compassion (Starting with Yourself),[17] and Book 3 Deepening Wisdom, Deepening Connection (to be released on October 11, 2022)[18] She also authored Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? A Westerner's Introduction and Guide to Tibetan Buddhist Practice[19] and The Princess Who Wept Pearls: The Feminine Journey in Fairy Tales[20] and is the co-author of The Lotus & The Rose: A Conversation Between Tibetan Buddhism & Mystical Christianity[21] and a contributor to The Dharma of Dogs: Our Best Friends as Spiritual Teachers edited by Tami Simon.[22] Why is the Dalai Lama Always Smiling? has a foreword written by the Dalai Lama and was a 2016 silver medal winner in the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPY Awards).[23]
Today, Lama Tsomo's work revolves around the initiatives of the Namchak Foundation. While the Namchak Retreat Ranch is still under construction,[24] Namchak has several offerings for students looking to begin or strengthen their meditation practice including two online courses, guided meditations, Learning Circles, and several live events per year.[25]
As of July 2018, her net worth was estimated to be $1.77 billion.[11]
Pritzker is divorced and has three children: Rachel, Roland, and Rosemary.[26] She lives in Missoula, Montana.[1] She is a Tibetan Buddhist.[11]