March 23 (Reuters) - Commercial real estate investment

trust Simon Property Group ( SPG ) said on Monday its chief

executive officer and chairman, David Simon, died on Sunday

after a battle with cancer.

Simon, 64, has led the mall operator since 1995, during

which time its shares have risen more than eightfold.

The company on Monday named Chief Operating Officer Eli

Simon as CEO and president, while also appointing board member

Larry Glasscock as non-executive chairman.

Simon Property ( SPG ) in February forecast 2026 funds from

operations largely above market expectations, betting on high

rents at its malls and shopping centers.