Iris Cantor, Philanthropist and Art Patron, Dies at 95

Iris Cantor died at age 95 on February 22, 2026, in Palm Beach, Florida. Her philanthropic activities included supporting the arts and healthcare institutions in the United States.

Born in New York City on February 14, 1931, Iris Cantor contributed to the arts through her work with the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation. She and her husband, B. Gerald Cantor, built a private collection of more than 750 works by Auguste Rodin, which became the basis for many of the foundation’s donations to museums.

The foundation, established in 1978, distributed approximately 450 Rodin pieces to museums around the world. In 1974, the B. Gerald Cantor Art Foundation gave Stanford University eighty-nine Rodin sculptures, which at the time represented the largest gift ever made to a university art museum.

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art received more than 50 works from the Cantor Foundation, which also funded the Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Sculpture Garden at the museum. The Brooklyn Museum was given over 80 Rodin sculptures, and Iris Cantor served as vice chair of its board between 1991 and 2001.

What the numbers show

• Iris Cantor was born on February 14, 1931
• She died on February 22, 2026, at age 95
• The Cantor Foundation donated about 450 Rodin works to museums
• Stanford University received 89 Rodin sculptures in 1974
• The Brooklyn Museum received more than 80 Rodin sculptures

In addition to her contributions to the arts, Iris Cantor supported healthcare initiatives. She funded women’s health centers at both UCLA and New York-Presbyterian Hospital, expanding access to medical services for women in those regions.

Her philanthropic work was recognized by several institutions. She received France’s Legion of Honour, being made an Officer in March 2017, and was awarded the U.S. National Medal of Arts in 1995.

The Iris & B. Gerald Cantor Foundation’s activities included not only art donations but also support for museum infrastructure, such as the creation of sculpture gardens and galleries. These efforts increased public access to works by Auguste Rodin and other artists.

Iris Cantor’s involvement with museum boards and her support for healthcare projects reflected a commitment to both cultural and community development. Her legacy includes a wide distribution of art and the establishment of facilities that continue to serve the public.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.