Texas Border Business
Texas Border Business
David Simon, chairman, chief executive officer, and president of Simon Property Group, died March 22, 2026, at the age of 64 after a battle with cancer, according to company statements and multiple media reports.
Simon Property Group announced that he died peacefully surrounded by family, according to PR Newswire. The cause of death has been widely reported as cancer, including pancreatic cancer, by outlets such as the New York Post and People.
Simon led Simon Property Group for decades, transforming it into the largest retail real estate company in the United States. According to People, he became CEO in 1995 at age 33 and expanded the company into a global leader with hundreds of shopping centers and premium outlets.
His leadership spanned major disruptions in the retail industry, including the 2008 financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic. According to People, Simon played a key role in navigating those challenges and maintaining the company’s position in a rapidly changing market.
Simon was widely known as the “Mall King,” reflecting his influence in the U.S. shopping mall sector, according to the New York Post. His tenure included large-scale acquisitions and strategic investments that reshaped the retail real estate landscape.
Following his death, leadership of the company has passed to his son, Eli Simon, who has been appointed chief executive officer and president, according to media reports.
Simon is survived by his wife, Jackie, five children, and seven grandchildren, according to People.
His death marks a significant moment for the retail real estate industry, where he was regarded as a central figure for more than three decades, overseeing the growth of one of the most influential property portfolios in the country.
