Who

The widow of Bernie Cantor, the founder of the securities firm Cantor Fitzgerald, Iris Cantor heads up the foundation that bears the family name and supports arts, educational and medical causes.

Backstory

Brooklyn-born Cantor skipped college and pursued a career as a model during her younger years. After marrying and divorcing twice, she started working as a stockbroker. That's where she met her third husband to-be, Bernard, the founder of the bond trading firm Cantor Fitzgerald. In 1977, the couple tied the knot in the south of France; the pair founded the philanthropic Cantor Foundation in 1978. In the mid-1990s, Bernie developed advanced kidney disease and passed away in 1996. But Iris continues to be a major donor to cultural and medical institutions across the U.S.

Pet causes

While Cantor's husband was busy making money on Wall Street, she was busy figuring out how to give it away. The Cantor Foundation supports a slew of organizations, including the Metropolitan Museum, NYU's Tisch School, Memorial Sloan-Kettering, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and UCLA. Her philanthropy has earned her countless awards, medals, and honorary degrees.

Drama

Bernie Cantor's illness and death provoked a major battle between Iris Cantor and Bernie's successor, Howard Lutnick. After Bernie fell ill, Lutnick tried to wrestle control of the company by having Bernie declared mentally incapacitated. With attorney Barry Slotnick by her side, a protracted court battle ensued between Lutnick and Iris Cantor. Lutnick eventually agreed to settle and paid $120 million for Cantor's share of the company.

On the side

Iris owns the world's largest private collection of work by Rodin—some 750 pieces—many of which she and her husband donated to galleries and institutions. She and Bernie also co-produced a documentary about the artist, which was broadcast on PBS.

Personal

Iris didn't have kids with Bernie or her two prior husbands. She currently divides her time between a 10,800-square-foot townhouse on the Upper East Side, which she bought for $18.125 million in 2009, a home in Westhampton, and a French palais-style estate in Bel Air.