In which New York City borough was Ralph Lauren born?

Ralph Lauren was born in the New York City borough of the Bronx.

He was born Ralph Lifshitz on October 14, 1939, to Jewish immigrant parents, Frieda and Frank Lifshitz. His father worked as an artist and house painter, and Lauren grew up as the youngest of four siblings in the Bronx. The borough’s Jewish community also produced other important fashion and design figures, including Calvin Klein.

At age 16, Lauren and his brother changed their surname from Lifshitz to Lauren. He later attended DeWitt Clinton High School, graduating in 1957, and studied business at Baruch College before leaving after two years. His New York upbringing remained an important part of his identity even as his brand developed an expansive vision of American country-club, Western and equestrian style.

The question concerns his birthplace, not where he built the company. Lauren founded his business in New York City in 1967, initially selling neckties, and opened major stores in Manhattan later in his career. Manhattan is therefore associated with his professional life, but it was not his birth borough.