David Simon, longtime chairman and chief executive officer of Simon Property Group, has died at 64 after a battle with cancer, according to company and media reports. Over more than three decades at the helm of the family-founded REIT, he helped turn it into the nation’s largest owner of malls, outlet centers and mixed-use retail properties. News of his death today quickly rippled through retail circles and the many communities where Simon properties anchor local economies.
In a press release on its investor site, Simon Property Group announced that Simon died today. Crain's New York Business, citing Bloomberg, reported that he had been undergoing treatment for cancer.
A Mall Empire and a Long Tenure
A member of the founding Simon family, David Simon rose through the ranks and took over as CEO in 1995, then added the chairman title in 2007. During his tenure he oversaw major acquisitions, redevelopment projects and outlet expansions that helped the company dominate the U.S. mall landscape. The company had previously disclosed in 2024 that he was receiving cancer treatment, according to the Indianapolis Business Journal. Under his leadership, Simon Property Group focused on pouring money back into top centers, adding restaurants, entertainment venues and luxury wings to keep its properties competitive.
Succession and Near-Term Outlook
In recent years, the company had begun elevating a younger slate of executives and moved Eli Simon into larger operating roles, shifts that industry coverage tied to succession planning. Bisnow reported on those leadership changes in 2025. Investors and local officials will now be watching closely as the board navigates ongoing redevelopment projects and manages relationships with key tenants in the wake of Simon’s death.
Local Impact and Legacy
Simon Property Group owns or has interests in hundreds of shopping centers that function as major employers and tax engines for their cities and suburbs. The company’s strategy of heavy reinvestment has been widely credited with keeping many high-performing malls relevant in a turbulent retail era, according to reporting by Fortune. As the company moves through a period of leadership transition, communities that rely on Simon-owned centers will be watching to see how the next generation of management handles investment decisions, tenant stability and day-to-day operations.
