Glorya Kaufman, Dance, Arts and Health Philanthropist Who Transformed L.A.’s Landscape, Dies at 95

From Culver City, Brentwood, UCLA, USC, and Downtown LA, Her Generosity was Legendary

Glorya Kaufman, a transformative benefactor to the arts and dance communities in Los Angeles and beyond, died Tuesday at age 95, the University of Southern California announced. USC, where she was a Life Trustee, said Kaufman “died peacefully surrounded by family and friends.”

Kaufman’s influence spanned decades, shaping cultural institutions across Southern California. She was the driving force behind the Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center series, created in 2009 through her $20 million gift — the largest single donation to dance in Los Angeles history. The endowment brought world-class companies, including the Joffrey Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, the Royal Ballet, Alvin Ailey Amer