Introduction
Charles B. Benenson (30 January 1913 – 22 February 2004) was an American real estate developer and investor.
Biography
Benenson Realty Co. was founded by his father Benjamin Benenson in 1905 and grew into an industry leader under his guidance, until his death in 1938. The younger Benenson began his career in 1933, during the depths of the Great Depression through which the company survived due to their lucrative lease with The Horn & Hardart automat at 31st and Broadway. He ran the company until his death in 2004.
Benenson was a philanthropist and political donor. His efforts and views landed him on the master list of Nixon political opponents. He was a founding member of the Association for a Better New York, the Realty Foundation, the Lincoln Center Real Estate and Construction Council, the New York Junior Tennis League, the I Have a Dream Program, and the Museum of African Art. He was also a major collector of African art, and upon his death left much of his collection to the Yale University Art Gallery.
Personal life
In 1942, he married his first wife, Dorothy (née Cullman) with whom he had two children: Bruce William Benenson and Frederick Benenson. They later divorced. His second marriage was to Peggy A. (née Lipson) Coudert. Charles and Peggy had one son, Lawrence B. Benenson.His third wife was Jane (née Garcy) Stein. His funeral was held at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan.