Elliott Erwitt, the legendary photographer who captured Nixon spat and shot Hollywood’s Marilyn Monroe, is reported dead aged 95. How he died, achievements, career, fortune, and untold facts explored.
Photographers worldwide are mourning the passing of Elliott Erwitt (real name: Elio Romano Erwitz) who had a decades-long career as an advertising and documentary photographer.
He was best known for his black-and-white candid photos of ironic and absurd situations within everyday settings. He was a member of Magnum Photos from 1953.
A collection of his work will be on show at La Sucriere in Lyon, France, until March 2024.
The world learned about his passing in 2023 after living for 95 years.
Here’s everything we know about the celebrated photographer; his net worth, achievements, cause of death, marriages, family, and more.
What was Elliott Erwitt’s cause of death?
Legendary photographer Elliott Erwitt has died at the age of 95.
The French-American died “peacefully at his home in New York surrounded by family,” a statement read.
No further details have been released about the exact cause of his death.
Who was Elliott Erwitt?
Famed photographer Elliott Erwitt was born on July 26, 1928, in Paris, France.
His parents were Eugenia (mother) and Boris Erwitz (father). His mom and dad were Jewish-Russian immigrant parents, who soon moved to Italy.
Growing up, the then 10-year-old Elliott and his family migrated to the United States, where he schooled and lived for the rest of his life.
He studied photography and filmmaking at Los Angeles City College and the New School for Social Research. In 1951 he was drafted into the Army, and discharged in 1953.
Erwitt was known for his candid and often funny black-and-white images.
He famously captured an infamous spat between then-US Vice-President Richard Nixon and Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev in 1959.
The following year, Erwitt also took promotional shots for the Western classic The Misfits – a film starring Marilyn Monroe.
The shots show Monroe, Montgomery Clift, and Clark Gable laughing and engaging with each other.
Magnum, the collective of photographers that Erwitt had been part of since 1953, offered an extended remembrance of his life.
Magnum said Erwitt would be remembered for “seeking out the most absurd and charming moments of life”.
“It was Erwitt’s firm belief that photography should speak to the senses and emotions rather than intellect,” the statement read.
Magnum added that it would “proudly protect the inspiring legacy that his image-making will keep on playing in the history of art and photography”.
A collection of his work will be on show at La Sucriere in Lyon, France, until March 2024.
Who is Elliott Erwitt’s wife, Pia Frankenberg?
Photographer Elliot Erwitt was married and divorced four times.
He had his first marriage in 1953 to Lucienne Van Kan but they divorced in the 1960.
He moved on to marry his second wife Diana Dann in 1968 but separated in 1975.
He married his third spouse Susan Ringo in 1977 but divorced in 1984.
His recent wife was Pia Frankenberg, whom he married in 1995 and split in 2010.
Pia Frankenberg was born on 27 October 1957 in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.
She is a producer and director, known for Nicht nichts ohne Dich (1985), Brennende Betten (1988) and Never Sleep Again (1992). Is through her career that made her fell in love with Erwitt when making a documentary about him.
Talking about his many marriages, Erwitt once made a bold statement in a documentary saying;
“All of my marriages lasted seven years,” says Erwitt with a resigned shrug. Some friends see the failure of his relationships as a consequence of his lifestyle and even of his vision: “Photographers are by definition interested in the surfaces of things; that is all you can photograph,” says Sayle. “And what do we call people who are only interested in the surfaces of things? Superficial! Or to put it another way, Elliott could never get past what they looked like. That kind of relationship isn’t going to last very long.”
How many children did Elliott Erwitt have?
Iconic photographer Elliott Erwitt was a father and a proud one.
He had six children including both sons and daughters.
The known names of his kids are Jennifer Erwitt, Amelia A. Erwitt, Misha Erwitt, and Ellen Erwitt.
He is also survived by 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
What was Elliott Erwitt’s net worth?
Elliott Erwitt, acclaimed American photographer, has a successful career that spanned decades. Throughout those years, he had amassed an impressive fortune.
Per reports, Elliott died a millionaire and had an estimated net worth of at least $1 million.
He accrued most of his money from his primary career as a photographer as well as from films and documentaries including 1971 Beauty Knows No Pain; ’73 Red, White and Bluegrass; and ’77 Glassmakers of Herat, Afghanistan.
A significant amount of his wealth was generated from sales of his artworks.