“No matter where people are or where they go, there’s no place in the world like Las Vegas,” Elaine Wynn said in 2021, 16 years after she helped open the Bellagio and just months before laying the groundwork for what she hoped would be the city’s first standalone contemporary art museum.

The thing was, she didn’t just believe in Las Vegas. She believed in what it could become. And more often than not, she had a hand in shaping that version. While her name came attached to casino resorts that redefined the Strip’s aesthetic (the Mirage, the Bellagio, Wynn, and Encore) Elaine Wynn rarely occupied center stage. She might not have always been the face of the empire. But she was the mind behind it. A businesswoman, arts patron, philanthropist, and education reform advocate who moved across sectors with fluency and purpose. People in the room listened when she spoke.

But now the curtain closed on one of the city’s most impactful figures as the 82-year-old passed away. Her parent firm, Wynn Resorts, confirmed the news on Tuesday in an official statement that read: “The current and former employees who worked alongside her to create Wynn and Encore Las Vegas cherish the many fond memories they have of her, especially of when they opened Wynn Las Vegas with her 20 years ago this month.”

Her influence stretched, unexpectedly, into sports.

When the Raiders were exploring the possibility of relocating from Oakland, there were several high-profile figures backing the move to Las Vegas. But it was Elaine who helped push the deal across fragile political lines. As one of the city’s most influential figures, her support lent the project credibility. Wynn’s involvement carried substantial weight with lawmakers, many of whom were skeptical about the potential risks of bringing the NFL to a market previously considered a ‘gambling city.’ The deal passed largely because of Wynn’s advocacy and connections.

Veteran broadcaster Jim Gray, who co-hosts the Let’s Go! Podcast with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, shared a personal tribute: “Elaine Wynn was a trailblazer. She was a dear friend. Her contributions and impact were immense and will never be forgotten.” Gray accompanied the post with a photo of himself, Wynn, and Kobe Bryant, and later added that she had been “a passionate supporter of Duke and USA Basketball.”

Born Elaine Pascal on April 28, 1941, in New York City, she grew up in a family that encouraged hard work and ambition. She attended the University of Pennsylvania, where she earned a degree in history, and it was there she met Steve Wynn, whom she would later marry and partner with in transforming Las Vegas. The couple married in 1963 and had two daughters, Kevyn and Gillian. While the couple divorced in 1986, Elaine remained an integral part of Wynn Resorts throughout her life.

Even as the largest individual shareholder of Wynn Resorts, she wasn’t content being a figurehead. She rolled up her sleeves, championed the arts, and prioritized community impact. From the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to her most recent collaboration to build a Las Vegas Art Museum with architect Francis Kéré, she poured her time and wealth, more like, put her money wherever the culture was.

There’s a reason Las Vegas is in shock right now. Because for Elaine, it was never just about here. She was also making this city a better place for her two daughters and 7 grandchildren to live in. Take the Wynn’s banner everywhere with them. So, Elaine did what she could do. She reformed education systems, sat on boards, and even had a school named after her.

Through the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation, her focus remained razor-sharp: uplift kids, fix education, and build a better community. Whether co-chairing Nevada’s Blue Ribbon Education Reform Task Force or helping Communities In Schools grow to serve 1.7 million students, she proved that power and compassion could actually play on the same team.

As Gray put it: “Her contributions and impact were immense and will never be forgotten.” The question is: how could they be?

Elaine Wynn leaves behind a whimpering Las Vegas

In their official statement, the Raiders honored her as a “trailblazing leader in the Las Vegas community and a dear friend to Mark Davis.” They weren’t just handing out lip service. Her backing of the team’s relocation and hands-on involvement in Allegiant Stadium turned Vegas into more than just Sin City—it became Raider Nation territory. You think this glitzy dome just popped up overnight? Nope, Elaine Wynn had her fingerprints all over that game plan.

Mayor Shelley Berkley echoed the city’s heartbreak: “Elaine has been a force for compassion, the arts and philanthropy in our city for many decades… Her spirit, creativity and caring nature will live on.” And yep, she’s got a museum of art in the works to prove it.

Elaine Wynn put people first. Her leadership stretched beyond casinos and into classrooms. She helped communities in schools reach 1.7 million students and served twice as president of the Nevada Board of Education. She made the postgame huddle matter—whether that meant backpacks for kids or championing the arts.

Meanwhile, the outpouring wasn’t just ceremonial. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo said, “Not only was Elaine a visionary Las Vegas businesswoman, but she was an unparalleled philanthropist.” And you could feel that sentiment echo from Capitol Hill to the Strip. Congresswoman Susie Lee got personal, calling her a mentor and reminding us that “many people may never know just how much she did to improve their lives.” That’s the type of person who doesn’t need to flex their résumé, because the impact speaks louder than any spotlight.

So yes, Las Vegas will still buzz, the Strip will still shine, and Allegiant will still host Sunday battles—but the hum won’t sound quite the same. Every corner of this city has a piece of Elaine Wynn in it. “Sadly, our dear friend is gone,” said Myron Martin of the Smith Center, “but her legacy will live on forever.” The lights dimmed in her honor across Vegas, and why not? After all, Elaine was the power source. Rest in power, queen.