Jackie Siegel Never Giving Up: The Sky is the Limit

“Reach for your highest goal, even if you get just halfway, you are in a better place than doing nothing at all. Never give up has been my motto. There are many struggles, and it was not an easy journey, I faced rejection. But when you finally get to where you want in life you realize it is not just the good things but the bad things where you learn, grow and pick up the pieces that ultimately lead you to land on the stars,” said Jackie Siegel, The Queen of Versailles. 

This has been the motto that has catapulted Jackie Siegel who reached for the sky to shine bright as a literal star. Having starred in an internationally acclaimed documentary film called The Queen of Versailles, directed by Laura Greenfield, Jackie and David Siegel shared their journey on camera of how they faced the 2008 global economic crisis as they were in the middle of building a 90,000 square foot estate, one of the largest private homes in the country. The film won best documentary at Sundance Film Festival. The Siegel’s home considered one of the largest homes in America is named Versailles after its stunning architectural décor resembling the palace of Versailles in France and is in Windermere, Florida.

As the King of Westgate Resorts Ltd, a Florida-based timeshare resort firm, David Siegel met his Queen Jackie Siegel through the Mrs. Florida Pageant. In 1993 Jackie Siegel won the Mrs. Florida Pageant and has been involved for over 30 years as a producer of the pageant. Together they had eight children in nine years. Their daughter Victoria Siegel died of a drug overdose on June 6, 2015 in Windemere Florida. Out of a struggle and hardship Jackie Siegel created hope with Victoria’s Voice a charity dedicated to bringing drug awareness and prevention education to students, parents, educators, and communities nationwide. Victoria’s legacy stewarded by Jackie Siegel brings mindfulness and guidance to all.

Siegel published her daughter’s diary: Victoria’s Voice. It was Victoria’s dying wish to share her story with others struggling. The former Mrs. Florida felt if they shared her daughter’s experience with other teenagers who struggled they could let other young adults know they were not alone. 

“We all face struggles growing up and we all feel inadequate or not good enough. Children can get depressed, and they turn to drugs. Children can get bullied. Victoria went through all of this, and we want to bring awareness that these are all normal thoughts in the growing up process but turning to drugs is not the answer. Therefore, we have decided to devote our lives to the drug epidemic, to warning parents and kids about how drugs are on the streets and are laced with Fentanyl and chemicals that can kill.” Said Siegel. 

As a true international public figure, Siegel’s loss and struggle to cope has strengthened her role and commitment to creating a better and drug free tomorrow. Through Jackie and David Siegel’s hard work with Victoria’s Voice, they have single handedly made Naloxone available without a prescription. Naloxone is a medication nasal spray approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) designed to rapidly reverse opioid overdose. It is an opioid antagonist- meaning that it binds to opioid receptors and can reverse and block the effects of other opioids, such as heroin, morphine, and oxycodone. Through meetings with politicians in DC, Siegel in representation of Victoria’s Voice was able to achieve Naloxone availability in many states for free at healthcare centers by the state as well as over the counter pharmacies. 

Through the efforts of Victoria’s Voice, a federal resolution designated June 6, the day of Victoria’s death, as National Naloxone Awareness Day. For National Naloxone Awareness Day, the DEA museum has placed Victoria picture in their exhibit. 

Jackie Siegel’s voice is a powerful tool to those in America looking for strength to reach for higher goals. With over half a million followers, she has published a movie on her You Tube channel, The Queen of Versailles, called the Princess of Versailles which aims to give an in depth look at how Siegel coped with the loss of a child and how to heel. It is a heartwarming road to successful healing for all parents who have faced similar hardship. Through Victoria’s Voice’s prevention education over one million children have been reached. In 2023, a special evening titled Music for Life Gala was held on Saturday, November 11 at a private Palm Beach, Florida estate. Priscilla Presley was honored, and Patti LaBelle performed. With notable guests all gathered to raise funds for Victoria’s Voice, the charity will not be slowing down. For 2024 Siegel is already working on a private dinner of around 300 guests who will support Victoria Voice’s mission.

Jackie Siegel is a “crown with a purpose”. She has been blessed to have the many lovely ladies of the Mrs. Florida pageant spread awareness about the drug epidemic and overdose dilemma.  

Just before the COVID -19 pandemic took hold of America, Jackie Siegel was on the Cocoa Beach Pier, which she and her husband own. She was randomly approached by playwright Lindsey Ferrentino who recognized Siegel as the Queen of Versailles. Ferrentino said she would love to write a script about Siegel. Today, with the best dream team, the Musical, the Queen of Versailles will open in Boston on August first to 18 before then traveling to Broadway of New York City in 2025. With Tony award winning musical composer Stephen Schwartz and famed Tony Award winning actress Kristin Chenoweth, playing Siegel, the musical production is sure to be a hit and will include the Victoria Voice’s Foundation in the storyline. 

With the mantra, “Never Give Up” and constantly reaching for the sky, her goals and creating success through adversity, Siegal’s stardom as the Queen of Versailles is about to catapult her to the bright lights of the Broadway stage. 

“You never know your chances in life and being in the right place at the right time. I’ve always loved Broadway, acting, and singing. I took classes when I was younger, I was never that great. I had to lip-sync in my school choir. Now I will be so lucky to see the Queen of Versailles headlined in Broadway lights. Anything is possible never give up and reach for the stars because one day you may become one,” said Jackie Siegel. 

Siegel and her husband are excited for the next adventure of their success and are also focused on the distribution of Jackie’s new coffee brand, The Queen of Versailles Coffee. Siegel is making coffee fit for a queen. The brand was founded with the mission of being the world’s first ultra-premium coffee brand, offering a master reserve selection of green, single-origin, high-altitude coffee beans from the volcanic soil of the Acatenango region in Guatemala. 5383 feet high in the arid volcanic mountains of Acatenango, Guatemala the beans ripen more slowly due to macadamia trees being planted next to them to provide shade. With more shade the beans do not brighten quickly and have more time to absorb the rich volcanic soil. They are then hand-picked as opposed to other coffees that have machines that just strip the plant of all beans. With hand-picked beans, only the best beans are selected. This in turn gives the Queen of Versailles Coffee an 87 out of 100 rating as opposed to Starbucks with is an 83 rating on the point system. The Queen of Versailles coffee can be bought at qvcoffee.com, her coffee website. In addition, Jackie Siegel is looking to put the coffee in one of the 150 retail gift shops along with the 30 Westgate resorts she and her husband own. With possible distribution in grocery stores and cruise ships in the works, Siegel hopes all Queens out there can wake up with a fresh cup of coffee to give them strength to go after their goals each day.

Jackie’s newest project Versailles’ closet will feature all her vintage clothing items in a section of her store Thrift Mart, located in Ocoee, Central Florida. Thrift Mart is a “locals helping locals” nonprofit organization that benefits charities like the Westgate Foundation. It is an upscale thrift store featuring new and used clothing along with home goods, appliances, furniture, etc.

After the success of the Queen of Versailles documentary, Siegel filmed Queen of Versailles Reigns Again which is soon to be released and will feature renovations of her palatial palace. After suffering a great loss Siegel fought through adversity and hardship, never giving up and building a better tomorrow. With her charity work and entrepreneurial endeavors, she is dedicated to women’s success also seen with her role in the Mrs. Florida Pageant.  Siegel’s well-rounded commitments have led her not just to stardom but to reach her goals. 

Her NYC apartment located at 49 Chambers Unit PHB is currently for sale. With a love for real estate, seen not just in their own home’s grandeur, but in the many hotels they own, Siegel’s love also resides with her Versailles in the Sky. This Westgate Las Vegas hotel, a true historical gem was once home to Elvis Presley. One of its penthouses, at 70,000 sq feet, is home to Barry Manilow when he performs at the hotel. The Sky really has no limit!

“The Versailles house gave me this opportunity of life to have a voice. It is because of the house that people have interest in me and our endeavors. For us we reached and there was no limit. I never gave up, if you reach for the stars, you may possibly end up with the moon,” said Jackie Siegel.