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, took to Instagram to share the heartbreaking news, revealing that he had succumbed to pancreatic cancer.
In a heartfelt statement on October 8, Alain Wertheimer, CEO of Chanel, expressed his condolences and remembered Kopelman as an exceptional leader who was instrumental in laying the groundwork for the brand’s remarkable growth. Wertheimer described Kopelman not only as a valuable asset to the company but also as a dear friend whose sense of humor and presence will be profoundly missed.
Chanel also issued a statement honoring Kopelman, highlighting his extraordinary professional and personal legacy, which he should be immensely proud of.
Born in 1938 in Brooklyn, Massachusetts, Kopelman graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1960 and went on to earn an MBA from Columbia University.
His career kicked off at Procter & Gamble, where he spent three years before moving to the advertising firm Doyle Dane Bernbach. Over the next two decades, he climbed the ranks to become Vice Chairman and General Manager.
In 1985, Kopelman was appointed President and COO of Chanel’s New York headquarters. During his 19-year tenure, he played a pivotal role in significantly expanding the company’s retail, fragrance, cosmetics, eyewear, and jewelry divisions, ultimately transforming Chanel into a multi-billion dollar enterprise.
