André Balazs

His girlfriend, Cosima Vesey, the daughter of Sita-Maria de Breffny and Thomas Vesey, 7th Viscount de Vesci, gave birth to a son with Balazs, Ivo Vesey, on July 9, 2017.

In 2017, the New York Times reported allegations that Balazs had "groped" Amanda Anka in London at a dinner hosted by him for Jennifer Aniston and Justin Theroux, a pattern of sexual misconduct dating back to at least the early 1990s. A statement issued by Amanda Anka and her husband, Jason Bateman, said that "his actions were dealt with at the time."

In 2014, Balazs was the recipient of British GQ’s “Men of the Year” award in the category of entrepreneur.

In 2012, Balazs started The Farm at Locusts-on-Hudson on the grounds of the former Astor family estate he purchased in Hyde Park, New York, to grow organic produce for his New York restaurants.

In 2011, Balazs launched a sea plane service to the Hamptons from Manhattan.

In 2007, Balazs began a collaboration with Wölffer Estate Vineyard on Long Island to create his own vintage of rosé.

In 2007, Christie's announced that Balazs was the winning bidder in an auction for Jean Prouvé's Maison Tropicale; Balazs reportedly paid $4.97 million for the house.

In 1998, Balazs opened the first of five hotels called The Standard in West Hollywood. Balazs subsequently opened and operated five Standard hotels: in Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Miami, and two in New York City, before selling his interests in the real estate, and in the management company in 2017.

Balazs co-founded Biomatrix with his father in 1988. The biotechnology company developed six hyaluronan products before it was sold in 2000 to Genzyme for an estimated $738 million.

Between 1988 and 1989, Balazs invested in various projects including the Manhattan nightclub M.K. and the Los Angeles supper club b.c. In 1989 he purchased The Mercer Hotel property in SoHo, a 100-year-old manufacturing loft. In 1990, Balazs purchased and restored the Chateau Marmont. Built in 1929 and located on Sunset Boulevard, Balazs reportedly paid just over $12 million. In 1997, he purchased and updated the Sunset Beach Hotel and Restaurant on Shelter Island. The following year, Balazs opened the redeveloped Mercer Hotel and Mercer Kitchen in SoHo.

Balazs married Katie Ford on November 16, 1985; they divorced in 2004. They have two daughters, Alessandra (born 1991) and Isabel (born 1994). He was engaged to actress Uma Thurman between 2004 and 2007, and the couple again dated from 2015 to 2016. He also had a relationship with comedian Chelsea Handler from 2011 to 2013.

Balazs was recruited by Andy Warhol in 1982 to be one of the founding Trustees of the New York Academy of Art. He has served on the boards of the New York Public Theater and the Wolfsonian Museum affiliated with Florida International University. He was awarded the first Design Patrons Award in 2011 by the National Academy of Arts’ Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Design in New York City.

In 1980, Balazs was hired by David Garth Associates to serve as Press Secretary to Bess Myerson, a Democratic candidate for Senator from New York State.

André Tomes Balazs (born January 31, 1957) is an American businessman and hotelier. He is president and chief executive officer of André Balazs Properties, a portfolio of hotels across the United States and residences in New York state, especially in New York City.