Philanthropist Iris Cantor, Rodin Art Collector, Dies at 95

Cantor and her husband amassed one of the largest private collections of Rodin sculptures, donating much of it to museums worldwide.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Iris Cantor, a prominent arts patron and philanthropist, passed away at her home in Palm Beach, Florida at the age of 95. Along with her late husband B. Gerald Cantor, she amassed one of the largest private collections of Rodin sculptures and drawings, which they donated to museums around the world through their charitable foundation. Over the decades, the Cantor Foundation granted hundreds of millions of dollars to support medical, educational, and arts institutions.

Why it matters

Iris and Gerald Cantor's passion for Rodin's work and their commitment to sharing it with the public through major donations to museums has left an indelible mark on the art world. Their philanthropy also extended to medical research, education, and the performing arts, making them two of the nation's leading private philanthropists in recent decades.

The details

After working as a model and stockbroker, Iris Cantor joined her husband's firm Cantor Fitzgerald in 1967. The couple formed a charitable foundation in 1978 that would eventually disburse an estimated $500 million fortune after Gerald Cantor's death in 1996. Through the foundation, the Cantors donated hundreds of Rodin sculptures and drawings to institutions like the Brooklyn Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Musée Rodin in Paris. They also funded expansions and renovations at these museums, as well as medical and educational facilities.

  • Iris Cantor joined Cantor Fitzgerald as an executive secretary in 1967.
  • The Cantor Foundation was formed in 1978.
  • Gerald Cantor passed away in 1996.
  • Iris Cantor died at her home in Palm Beach, Florida on February 27, 2026.
  • The Cantor Foundation has donated around 450 Rodin sculptures and drawings to museums since its founding.

The players

Iris Cantor

A philanthropist and art collector who, along with her husband B. Gerald Cantor, amassed one of the largest private collections of Rodin sculptures and drawings, which they donated to museums around the world through their charitable foundation.

B. Gerald Cantor

Iris Cantor's late husband, who founded the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald. Together, the Cantors formed a charitable foundation that has disbursed an estimated $500 million to support medical, educational, and arts institutions.

Max Hollein

The director and chief executive of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, which has several galleries named after Iris Cantor.

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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 and Chief Executive, Metropolitan Museum of Art (nytimes.com)

What’s next

The Cantor Foundation is expected to continue its philanthropic work, supporting the institutions and causes that Iris and Gerald Cantor championed during their lifetimes.

The takeaway

Iris and Gerald Cantor's remarkable art collection and generous philanthropy have left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape, underscoring the power of private citizens to shape the future of the arts, education, and medical research through sustained, visionary giving.