Arie Kopelman, the former president and chief operating officer of Chanel, passed away on the evening of October 7 at the age of 86. His daughter, Jill Kargman, shared the news on Instagram, revealing that he died from pancreatic cancer.

The following day, Alain Wertheimer, CEO of Chanel, expressed his heartfelt condolences, paying tribute to Kopelman’s exceptional leadership and significant contributions to the brand. “He was not only a tremendous asset to Chanel but also a dear friend with a wonderful sense of humor. We will truly miss him,” Wertheimer noted.

Chanel also issued a statement mourning Kopelman’s passing, commending him for the extraordinary professional and personal legacy he leaves behind—one he should undoubtedly take pride in.

Kopelman was born in 1938 in Brooklyn, Massachusetts. He graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1960 and later received an MBA from Columbia University.

He began his career at Procter & Gamble, where he spent three years before moving to the advertising agency Doyle Dane Bernbach. Over the next two decades, he climbed the ranks to become vice chairman and general manager.

In 1985, Kopelman joined Chanel’s New York headquarters as president and COO, a role he held for 19 years. During his tenure, he significantly expanded the company’s retail, fragrance, cosmetics, eyewear, and accessories divisions, ultimately transforming Chanel into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise.