Clive Davis died at 94 on Monday, June 22, his rep confirmed
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NEED TO KNOW
- Martha Stewart shared a heartfelt tribute to her longtime friend Clive Davis, calling him a mentor and neighbor
- Clive Davis was a legendary music executive who launched and supported iconic artists like Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen
- Davis is remembered by his family as a loving father and grandfather who balanced extraordinary professional and personal legacies
Martha Stewart is honoring her friend Clive Davis, following the music executive's death.
In an Instagram post, the mogul, 84, paid a touching tribute to her longtime friend Davis, who died on Monday, June 22, at 94.
"My lovely friend, mentor and neighbor, the indomitable, indefatigable, amazing, talented, intuitive, Mister Clive Davis passed away today," said Stewart. "I will miss him so very, very much. Not only did he provide us with some of the best performers and their music for more than half a century, he was the kindest, most thoughtful and caring human being."
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"Over the years I attended many of his super duper Grammy parties, his birthday celebrations, his dinners honoring his artists and friends but I also got to honor him for the Martha Stewart center for Living at Mount Sinai. We will miss you Clive!!!!!" the television personality continued.
Stewart and Davis' friendship goes back decades. The pair were often photographed at each other's events, and were most recently seen together in January 2026 at Davis' annual pre-Grammy party.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Davis' longtime rep Aliza Rabinoff said that he "passed away peacefully from age-related illness at the age of 94 at his home in Manhattan on Monday, June 22, surrounded by his family and loved ones."
Davis had recently been hospitalized in New York City on May 29, and was discharged on June 4. A spokesperson told PEOPLE at the time that he was "in good spirits and happy to be recuperating at home."
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Following his death, Davis' family issued a statement memorializing both his professional and personal accomplishments.
"To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations," the statement read. "To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love. No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved."
The five-time Grammy winner held positions at several major music labels, including Columbia Records, RCA Music Group and BMG. He founded Arista Records in 1974 and served as its president until 2000 when he launched J Records.
At Columbia, Davis signed iconic artists including Janis Joplin, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, The Isley Brothers and Earth, Wind & Fire. While at the helm of Arista, Davis helped launch the careers of Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, Whitney Houston, Alan Jackson and more, while navigating big comebacks for Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin and Carlos Santana.
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Davis is survived by his four children — sons Doug, Mitchell and Fred Davis and daughter Lauren — eight grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hayley, Harper, Sloane, Billie and Cody, two great grandchildren, his cousin Jo Schuman and his longtime partner Greg Schriefer.
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