Manhattan – S. Daniel Abraham, the American entrepreneur who turned a modest family business into a weight-loss empire and dedicated decades to fostering peace in the Middle East, died on Sunday in Manhattan. He was 100.
Born in New York in 1924, Abraham served in the U.S. Army infantry during World War II, an experience that shaped his later commitments to peace and humanitarian causes. After completing his service in 1947, he purchased Thompson Medical Company, a small business that would transform the diet industry.
Abraham’s defining business achievement came with SlimFast, the meal replacement brand launched in the late 1970s. By the 1980s and 1990s, SlimFast had become a household name, synonymous with convenient weight management. In 2000, he sold the company to Unilever for approximately $2.3 billion.
His commercial success became the foundation for a life of philanthropy and political engagement. Abraham was a prolific donor to Democratic campaigns and a passionate supporter of efforts to build trust between Israelis and Palestinians. Between 1988 and 2002, he made more than 60 trips to the Middle East, meeting with Israeli leaders such as Yitzhak Rabin and Ariel Sharon, as well as Jordan’s Prince Abdullah and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.
In 1989, he established the S. Daniel Abraham Center for Middle East Peace in Washington, D.C., to promote dialogue, economic cooperation, and conflict resolution. Robert Wexler, the Center’s president, described Abraham as “a brilliant, humble businessman who experienced the destruction of war as a combat soldier and exhibited tireless dedication to achieving peace, security, and prosperity for all peoples of the Middle East.”
Abraham chronicled his experiences in his 2006 book, Peace is Possible: Conversations with Arab and Israeli Leaders from 1988 to the Present, with a foreword by President Bill Clinton, a longtime friend and political ally.
In the United States, Abraham was known as one of the Democratic Party’s most significant donors. He contributed millions of dollars to Democratic candidates, including $3 million to a super PAC supporting Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
His philanthropy extended far beyond politics. Abraham funded medical research, Jewish education, and health initiatives. His donation to the Mayo Clinic led to the creation of the Dan Abraham Healthy Living Center, which opened in 2007 to promote wellness and preventive care.
He also endowed academic programs at several universities, including Harvard Medical School and Princeton University. At Yeshiva University, he established the S. Daniel Abraham Israel Program and the Honors Program at Stern College for Women, earning an honorary doctorate for his contributions.
Yeshiva University President Ari Berman and Board Chair Ira Mitzner said in a statement: “Mr. Abraham’s life was guided by purpose, generosity, and a deep love for the Jewish people and the State of Israel. His influence will be felt by current and future generations.”
Abraham’s commitment to peace in the Middle East also extended to political initiatives within Israel. He was a major donor to the V15 movement, which sought to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the 2015 Israeli elections.
Despite his high profile and substantial wealth, friends and colleagues described Abraham as approachable and grounded. Elaine Rosenberg Miller, a member of his synagogue in Palm Beach, Florida, recalled: “The obituaries will call him ‘billionaire founder of SlimFast.’ But we knew him as a funny, approachable man.”
Abraham is survived by his wife, Ewa, and six children: Rebecca Gridish, Leah Pinck, Tammy Wolchok, Simi Ganz, Sarah Abraham, and Sam Abraham, along with their families.
His legacy spans business innovation, philanthropy, and a lifelong commitment to the belief that peace is achievable.
