Simon Property Group Chairman, CEO David Simon Dies at 64
John Jordan • March 25, 2026
INDIANAPOLIS— David Simon, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President of Simon Property Group, passed away on March 22 at 64-years-old after a battle with cancer.
Simon’s passing was announced by the company on March 23. The Simon Property Group Board of Directors has appointed Eli Simon as its Chief Executive Officer and President. In addition, he will continue as Chief Operating Officer and Director. In addition, Larry Glasscock has been appointed by the Board to serve as Non-Executive Chairman of the Board.
Simon Property Group’s holdings in the New York metro region include The Westchester in White Plains, Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley and Roosevelt Field, Smith Haven Mall, Walt Whitman Shops on Long Island. Simon also owned the Shops at Nanuet in Rockland County, which it sold in 2025.
Simon was a graduate of The Indiana University Kelley School of Business (B.S., 1983) and Columbia University's Graduate School of Business (M.B.A., 1985). He joined the company's predecessor, Melvin Simon & Associates, as Chief Financial Officer in 1990, bringing with him the rigorous analytical training of a Wall Street investment banker first honed at First Boston Corporation and then at Wasserstein Perella & Co. In 1993, at just 31 years old, he orchestrated the company's initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange—raising nearly $1 billion in what was then the largest real estate public stock offering in history.
He was named Chief Executive Officer in 1995 at the age of 33. What followed was an unparalleled era of growth, innovation, and value creation. Under his leadership, Simon Property Group delivered a cumulative total shareholder return of more than 4,500% since its IPO. He was the architect of a series of transformative transactions that reshaped the competitive landscape of retail real estate. His acquisitions of DeBartolo Realty Corporation, Corporate Property Investors, Chelsea Property Group, the Mills Corporation, and Taubman Centers —among many others—strengthened the company's portfolio and made it more efficient, expanded its reach and offerings to consumers, and reinforced its position as the unquestioned retail real estate industry leader. At the time of his passing, Simon Property Group owned or held interests in more than 250 properties comprising over 200 million square feet across North America, Europe, and Asia, generating billions in annual revenue.
Company officials related that he understood, earlier and more clearly than anyone in his industry, that retail destinations had to evolve from transactional spaces into experiential ones. Under his direction, the company has invested billions in redeveloping and reimagining its properties—creating premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destinations that became true community gathering places. This vision has ensured the enduring relevance and vitality of Simon's portfolio even as the retail real estate landscape has been hit with seismic change.
His leadership during periods of crisis further revealed the depth of his character and capability. He steered the company through the global financial crisis of 2008–2009, emerging with a stronger balance sheet and an expanded portfolio. When the COVID-19 pandemic shuttered retail properties worldwide in 2020, David moved with characteristic decisiveness — implementing safety protocols, supporting tenants, and positioning the company for a rapid recovery that outpaced the broader industry. In every challenge, he saw opportunity; in every setback, he found a new path forward.
Simon’s strategic vision extended well beyond the borders of the United States. He served, until recently, as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Klépierre, a publicly traded, Paris-based retail real estate company, and served on the board of Apollo Global Management, Inc.
Glasscock released a statement on behalf of the Board of Directors, stating: “There are no words adequate to express the depth of our sorrow or the magnitude of our gratitude. David Simon was, quite simply, the finest leader in the history of the retail real estate industry. His extraordinary intellect, his relentless drive for excellence, and his unmatched strategic vision transformed a privately held family business into an esteemed global institution — creating billions of dollars in value for shareholders along the way.”
He continued: “David's legacy transcends financial performance. He was a leader of uncommon integrity, fierce loyalty, and deep personal conviction. He inspired everyone around him to reach higher, think bigger, and never settle. He set the standard — not just for our Company, but for an entire industry. All of the Simon Malls, the world-class Simon Premium Outlets®, and every mixed-use destination in our portfolio bears the imprint of his vision and his exacting standards.”
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