Dear Danielle,
Finally a [nice review](http://move.themaneater.com/stories/2012/9/3/festival-hit-queen-versailles-evokes-emotional-res/)!
I have read numerous reviews concerning “Queen of Versailles” and almost all of them have been negative toward my company, my house and my family. It’s so nice to finally read one like yours that is understanding.
However, with that said, I would like you to know the real truth behind “Queen of Versailles.” First of all, it’s not a documentary, it’s an untrue reality movie that was staged, scripted and taken out of context. The only thing true about it is that my wife is an over-endowed shopaholic with a big heart. I’m surprised that you described her as the woman “everyone loves to hate” because most people that have seen the movie loved her.
The gold ornate chair, which I was interviewed in, is only brought out at Christmas time for Santa to sit on and hand out presents to the kids. The rest of the year it’s stored away. Why you feel being wealthy is disgusting is beyond me. I came from nothing and worked very hard 24/7 to build a giant company. I employ thousands of people and pay millions in taxes. I could either let my money sit in a bank account or I could use it to do something unusual as building the largest home in America that would not only benefit my family, but would be viewed by future generations such as the Newport Mansions and The Biltmore House in N.C.
Westgate Resorts did not suffer immensely after the 2008 recession. It’s true our banks froze and we had to change our business model to live within our means, the same as the rest of the country should do. In 2008 we were fat, dumb and happy and in 2009 we were lean and mean. Our sales dropped from $1 billion a year to $500 million a year in ’09, but because we became lean and mean our profits remained steady. To get lean and mean we had to shut down some of our telemarketing offices and unfortunately lay off people. However the movie shows an empty telemarketing office and next door was a busy one, it also showed an empty sales room, but next door was a busy one.
Not only is the company doing better today than in its 32-year history we have also hired back several thousand employees. In addition, the construction of Versailles has resumed. We were not in danger of losing the house to foreclosure, as the movie indicated. Although we had to sell our Las Vegas Tower, our other 27 resorts are doing great. The banks have returned to give us money and we are refusing it. We’ve been able to do two major securitizations this year, which has never been done before.
Westgate is on top, the house is under construction, the Siegel family is happy, the dogs are having puppies, we don’t live in squalor, but unfortunately that’s not the impression the movie leaves. Because you wrote such a nice review I wanted you to know the true story.
Sincerely,
David Siegel