Helene Fortunoff

Helene Fortunoff (March 2, 1933 – November 8, 2021) was an American businessperson who headed Fortunoff.[1][2]

Life and career

Helene Fortunoff was born as Helene Finke in Paterson, New Jersey on March 2, 1933, to Tillie Finke, a homemaker, and, Samuel Finke, who worked in the HVAC wholesale industry.[3][4] She was of Jewish ancestry and grew up in nearby Fair Lawn.[5] At the age of 13, she began doing after-school jobs for his father.[3] She graduated from Fair Lawn High School.[6]

Fortunoff started out at Syracuse University, but after two years she switched to NYU's School of Commerce (which has been renamed as New York University Stern School of Business).[3] In 1953, she earned a bachelor's degree in business administration with highest honors.[3]

In 1953, Fortunoff began her career by joining the family retail operation, Fortunoff, run by her husband, Alan Fortunoff's family in Brooklyn.[3] Four years later, in 1957, she recommended expanding the company into the jewelry industry and led the charge.[3] Under her leadership, Fortunoff became one of the largest retailer in the state.[3][7]

In 2000, Fortunoff became the president of Fortunoff Fine Jewelry & Silverware after the death of her husband.[3]

In 2005, when the Fortunoff family had sold off most of the company to outside investors, Fortunoff decided to retire.[3]

Awards
  • National Jeweler Award[3]
  • Jewelers of America's Gem Award[3]

References
  1. Konig, Susan (2001-07-22). "Fortunoff Widow Puts Own Imprint on Company". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  2. Sidell, Misty White (2021-11-11). "Obituary: New York Jewelry Matriarch Helene Fortunoff, 88". WWD. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  3. Seelye, Katharine Q. (2021-11-12). "Helene Fortunoff, Who Built a Family Jewelry Empire, Dies at 88". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  4. Graff, Michelle (2021-11-09). "Helene Fortunoff, a True Leader in the Industry, Dies at 88". nationaljeweler.com. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  5. Hanau, Shira (2021-11-16). "Helene Fortunoff, Jewish pioneer of a US jewelry empire, dies at 88". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
  6. "Law Student, Helene Finke Slate Bridal", The Record, June 12, 1953. Accessed January 31, 2023, via Newspapers.com. "Miss Finke is a graduate of Fair Lawn High School and is now attending New York University, School of Commerce, Accounts, and Finance."
  7. Hagerty, James R. (2021-11-17). "Helene Fortunoff Circled the Globe in Search of Jewelry". WSJ. Retrieved 2023-01-25.
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