In what year was Ralph Lauren born?

Ralph Lauren was born in 1939.

He was born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, in the Bronx, New York City, to Ashkenazi Jewish immigrant parents. As a teenager, he and his brother changed their surname to Lauren. The future designer later attended Baruch College but left before completing his degree.

Lauren entered fashion through menswear rather than formal design training. After working in sales and for a necktie company, he persuaded tie manufacturer Beau Brummell to let him create his own line. In 1967, he launched his company with wide, distinctive men’s ties; a full menswear line named Polo followed in 1968.

The year 1939 is sometimes confused with 1938 or 1940 because biographical summaries may emphasize his age at a particular milestone rather than his exact birth date. His October 14 birthday is consistently given as October 14, 1939. The brand’s name also differs from his birth name: Ralph Lauren is the professional name he adopted as a young man.