
Iris Cantor
Philanthropist, advocate for women's health and arts
- Lifespan
- February 14, 1931 – February 22, 2026Feb 14, 1931 – Feb 22, 2026
- Location
- Pleasantville, New York, U.S.Pleasantville, NY, U.S.

Philanthropist, advocate for women's health and arts
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Key moments and achievements from Iris Cantor's life.
Iris was born
· Pleasantville, New York, U.S.
Career
Together with her husband Bernie, Iris Cantor established the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation in 1978 as a vehicle for their philanthropy, which would go on to donate approximately 450 Rodin sculptures to museums worldwide.
Career
Together with her husband Bernie, Iris Cantor established the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Foundation in 1978 as a vehicle for their philanthropy, which would go on to donate approximately 450 Rodin sculptures to museums worldwide.
Achievement
After losing her younger sister to breast cancer, Iris Cantor established the Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging at UCLA in 1986, becoming a leading advocate for mammography as a critical tool for early cancer detection.
Achievement
After losing her younger sister to breast cancer, Iris Cantor established the Iris Cantor Center for Breast Imaging at UCLA in 1986, becoming a leading advocate for mammography as a critical tool for early cancer detection.
Achievement
Through the Cantor Foundation, Iris oversaw transformative donations of Auguste Rodin sculptures to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, reshaping the museum's sculpture collection and making it one of the premier Rodin collections in the world.
Achievement
Through the Cantor Foundation, Iris oversaw transformative donations of Auguste Rodin sculptures to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, reshaping the museum's sculpture collection and making it one of the premier Rodin collections in the world.
Achievement
In 1995, Iris Cantor established the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women's Health Center, a pioneering facility dedicated to comprehensive women's healthcare that became a national model for integrated women's health services.
Achievement
In 1995, Iris Cantor established the Iris Cantor-UCLA Women's Health Center, a pioneering facility dedicated to comprehensive women's healthcare that became a national model for integrated women's health services.
Community
Through decades of generosity, the Cantor Foundation donated a significant collection of Rodin sculptures to Stanford University, creating the renowned B. Gerald Cantor Rodin Sculpture Garden on campus and enriching the university's cultural landscape.
Community
Through decades of generosity, the Cantor Foundation donated a significant collection of Rodin sculptures to Stanford University, creating the renowned B. Gerald Cantor Rodin Sculpture Garden on campus and enriching the university's cultural landscape.
Achievement
Iris Cantor donated $5 million in 2002 to form the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center, significantly expanding women's healthcare access and research capabilities at one of America's leading medical institutions.
Achievement
Iris Cantor donated $5 million in 2002 to form the Iris Cantor Women's Health Center, significantly expanding women's healthcare access and research capabilities at one of America's leading medical institutions.
Achievement
Expanding her health philanthropy beyond women's care, Iris donated $20 million in 2010 to launch the Iris Cantor Men's Health Center, demonstrating her commitment to comprehensive healthcare for all populations.
Achievement
Expanding her health philanthropy beyond women's care, Iris donated $20 million in 2010 to launch the Iris Cantor Men's Health Center, demonstrating her commitment to comprehensive healthcare for all populations.
Achievement
Iris Cantor was cited among the 50 top philanthropic contributors in the United States for her extensive giving to arts institutions, medical centers, and educational organizations through the Cantor Foundation.
Achievement
Iris Cantor was cited among the 50 top philanthropic contributors in the United States for her extensive giving to arts institutions, medical centers, and educational organizations through the Cantor Foundation.
Iris Cantor passed away