Dan Topping

Daniel Reid Topping (June 11, 1912 – May 18, 1974) was an American sports executive who was part owner and president of the New York Yankees baseball team from 1945 to 1964. During Topping's tenure as chief executive of the Yankees, the team won 14 American League pennants and ten World Series championships.

Early life and career Topping was born on June 11, 1912, in Greenwich, Connecticut, to Rhea (Reid) and Henry Junkins Topping. Henry Junkins Topping was the son of John A. Topping, an industrialist and president of Republic Iron and Steel. His mother Rhea was the daughter of Daniel G. Reid, who was known as the "Tinplate King" for his vast wealth in the tin industry. Daniel Topping inherited a portion of both fortunes. Topping had two brothers: Henry J. Topping (1914–1968), and John Reid Topping (1921–1969).

Topping attended the Hun School and the University of Pennsylvania, and excelled in multiple sports. Webb sold his interest in 1965. Topping remained as team president until September 19, 1966, when he sold his remaining stake in the Yankees.

Personal life Topping was married six times, five of which ended in divorce. They were divorced in 1935. His second marriage was to actress Arline Judge in 1937. They divorced in 1940, and Judge went on to marry his brother Henry. Dan Topping was then married to three-time Olympic figure skating gold medalist Sonja Henie from 1940 to 1946. His fourth marriage was to actress Kay Sutton in 1946. From 1954 to 1958, Topping was married to Manhattan model Alice Lowthers. His final marriage was to Charlotte Lillard, which lasted from 1957 until his death.

Topping fathered nine children, including Dan Topping Jr.

He died of complications from emphysema in Miami Beach, Florida, on May 18, 1974, at age 61. He is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in The Bronx, New York.