Iris Cantor, Philanthropist Who Transformed the Met and the Brooklyn Museum, Dies at 95

Cantor provided millions in support to top US art institutions over decades.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Iris Cantor, a renowned art collector and philanthropist who significantly reshaped the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and other major US art institutions through her generous donations and patronage, has died at the age of 95 in Palm Beach, Florida.

Why it matters

Cantor's legacy as a transformative force in the American art world is undeniable, as her patronage helped steward the growth and development of some of the nation's most prestigious museums. Her unwavering belief in the essential role of museums in our collective understanding of art and culture will continue to impact the art world for generations.

The details

Through the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation, Cantor provided millions of dollars in support to the Met, the Brooklyn Museum, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of Art, and other institutions. Her donations helped fund new galleries, endowments, and public programs at these museums. Cantor also helped disperse her late husband's renowned collection of Rodin sculptures to museums across the country.

  • Cantor became a trustee at the Met in 1995 and remained on the board for nearly two decades.
  • Cantor served as vice chair at the Brooklyn Museum from 1991 to 2001, during which time she endowed a new auditorium there.
  • In 1999, following donations from the Cantor Foundation, Stanford University rechristened its art museum the Cantor Arts Center.
  • In 2023, the Brooklyn Museum renamed its outdoor plaza after Cantor to honor her enduring legacy of support.
  • Cantor passed away on Sunday, February 23, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida.

The players

Iris Cantor

A renowned art collector and philanthropist who provided millions in support to transform the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Brooklyn Museum, and other major US art institutions.

B. Gerald Cantor

Iris Cantor's late husband, who amassed one of the largest private collections of Rodin sculptures, which the couple later dispersed to museums across the nation.

Max Hollein

The director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, who praised Cantor's legacy and her unwavering belief in the essential role of museums.

Anne Pasternak

The director of the Brooklyn Museum, who thanked Cantor for her incredible friendship and generous support, including gifting the museum's renowned collection of Rodin sculptures and drawings.

Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation

The foundation established by Iris and her late husband, which provided the financial support that transformed many of the nation's top art museums.

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What they’re saying

“Her legacy is one of imagination, conviction, and unwavering belief in the essential role museums play—not only in what they show, but also in what they help us understand about ourselves and the world around us.”

— Max Hollein, Director, Metropolitan Museum of Art (artnews.com)

“Throughout her life, she has been an incredible friend and generous supporter of the Museum, from gifting our renowned collection of sixty-six Auguste Rodin sculptures and drawings to endowing public programs and publications. Now, our beloved outdoor plaza will honor Iris and her enduring legacy of support for the Museum while undergoing a green transformation, bringing even greater joy to the millions who visit.”

— Anne Pasternak, Director, Brooklyn Museum (artnews.com)

The takeaway

Iris Cantor's transformative impact on the American art world, through her decades of generous patronage and unwavering belief in the essential role of museums, will continue to be felt for generations. Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of private philanthropy to shape and elevate our cultural institutions.