Ronald Perelman
Ronald Perelman is the Chairman and CEO of MacAndrews & Forbes Incorporated, a diversified holding company with investments across consumer products, beauty, manufacturing, and media. A renowned American investor and corporate leader, Perelman has built, acquired, and operated some of the most recognizable global brands over several decades. He rose to prominence in the 1980s as one of the most influential figures of the leveraged buyout era, gaining a reputation for acquiring undervalued public companies and driving transformation through strategic mergers, acquisitions, and restructurings. Perelman is best known for his long-standing ownership and stewardship of Revlon Corporation, the iconic global cosmetics brand, as well as high-profile investments in Sunbeam Products, The Coleman Company, and New World Entertainment. Beyond his impact on corporate finance and value-driven investing, Perelman is also a prominent cultural figure and art collector. His private collection includes works by some of the most celebrated artists of the modern era, including Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Pablo Picasso, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Ronald Perelman Professional Experience / Academic History
Professional Experience
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Chairman and CEO
Academic History
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M.B.A., Finance
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B.A., Economics
CURRENT AFFILIATIONS
Chairman and CEO, MacAndrews & Forbes
Board Member, Carnegie Hall
Board Member, University of Pennsylvania
Board Member, New York University Langone Medical Center
Board Member, New York Presbyterian Hospital
Board Member, Weill Cornell Medical Center
Board Member, Columbia University
Board Member, Ford's Theater
Board Member, Tribeca Film Institute
Board Member, Apollo Theater
Member, French Legion of Honor
REVLON
Ronald Perelman is widely recognized as one of the most formidable corporate raiders of his era, with his most high-profile acquisition being Revlon, the multinational cosmetics, skincare, and personal care company.
In 1985, Perelman acquired Revlon for approximately $2.7 billion, a deal that briefly made him one of the wealthiest businessmen in the United States and cemented his reputation as a dominant force in leveraged buyouts and corporate restructuring.
In more recent years, the value of Perelman’s Revlon holdings—often used as collateral for financing—has declined, reflecting industry pressures and operational challenges, including the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
ART COLLECTION
Perelman is also renowned for one of the most significant private art collections in the world, featuring masterworks by Andy Warhol, Cy Twombly, Pablo Picasso, and Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Between March 2020 and January 2022, he sold 71 artworks valued at approximately $963 million, representing a strategic monetization of his collection.
The sales included works by iconic 20th-century artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Ellsworth Kelly, Jackson Pollock, Jasper Johns, Ed Ruscha, and Mark Rothko, highlighting the breadth and historical significance of his holdings.
PHILANTHROPY
Beyond business and investing, Perelman is a prominent philanthropist and long-time supporter of leading educational, medical, and cultural institutions across the United States.
At his alma mater, the University of Pennsylvania, he founded the Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics, reflecting his commitment to leadership, entrepreneurship, and financial education.
His philanthropic legacy also includes major contributions to healthcare, including the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone, the Ronald O. Perelman Heart Institute at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, and the Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center.