Linda de Roulet Cause of Death: Former Mets President Dies at 95

Major League Baseball is mourning the loss of Lorinda “Linda” de Roulet, the trailblazing former president and chairwoman of the New York Mets. She passed away on October 26, 2025, at the age of 95. The Mets organization confirmed her death on Friday night, though no cause of death has been disclosed by her family or team officials.

De Roulet was one of the first women to hold a top executive position in Major League Baseball, inheriting leadership of the Mets from her mother, Joan Whitney Payson—the franchise’s original owner and one of the first women to own a major U.S. sports team. Her death marks the end of a historic era in Mets ownership and women’s leadership in sports.

Linda de Roulet Cause of Death and Family Confirmation

As of now, the official cause of Linda de Roulet’s death has not been revealed. Mets historian Jay Horwitz confirmed her passing on behalf of the team, saying, “We extend our condolences to the de Roulet family upon the death of Lorinda ‘Linda’ Payson de Roulet.”

De Roulet was the daughter of Joan Whitney Payson and businessman Charles Shipman Payson. After her mother’s death in 1975, she assumed control of the Mets, becoming the first woman to oversee the day-to-day operations of a Major League Baseball team. She served as team president from 1975 until 1980 and later as chairwoman of the board before the franchise was sold to Doubleday & Company.

In a 1978 interview with The New York Times, de Roulet reflected on her unexpected rise to leadership, saying, “I guess I thought my mother would keep running things, and my husband was interested too.” Her modest words reflected a period when female executives were rare in professional sports.

The De Roulet Era and the Mets’ Struggles

When Linda de Roulet took over, the Mets were facing financial challenges and lacked on-field success. During her tenure, the team struggled under chairman M. Donald Grant, whose decisions—including the trade of Tom Seaver—were widely criticized by fans. The Mets posted losing records in both 1978 (66–96) and 1979 (63–99).

Despite these difficulties, de Roulet’s leadership helped stabilize the organization during a turbulent time. Her era laid the foundation for the team’s eventual resurgence in the 1980s, culminating in the 1986 World Series victory. Though she sold the club to Doubleday & Company in 1980, her influence remained part of Mets history.

Legacy of a Trailblazer in MLB

Linda de Roulet’s legacy extends far beyond the Mets. She was one of the earliest examples of female executive leadership in a major men’s professional league, following in the pioneering footsteps of her mother. Her work helped pave the way for future women in baseball management, including executives and owners across MLB franchises today.

In addition to her role with the Mets, de Roulet was deeply involved in philanthropy, supporting education, community arts, and health causes throughout New York. Her passing closes a remarkable chapter in both sports and cultural history, symbolizing a bridge between the early days of modern baseball and the evolving landscape of gender equality in sports management.

While the family has not revealed Linda de Roulet’s cause of death, her legacy as a groundbreaking figure in Major League Baseball will endure. Her leadership, resilience, and commitment to the game helped shape the identity of the New York Mets and inspired a new generation of women in sports.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What was Linda de Roulet’s cause of death?

Her family and the Mets organization have not disclosed her cause of death as of November 2025.

Q2: When did Linda de Roulet die?

She passed away on October 26, 2025, at the age of 95, with the news made public on November 7.

Q3: What roles did she hold with the New York Mets?

Linda de Roulet served as president from 1975 to 1980 and later as chairwoman of the Mets’ board before the team’s sale.

Q4: Why is Linda de Roulet remembered as a trailblazer?

She was the first woman to oversee day-to-day operations of an MLB team, following her mother Joan Payson’s groundbreaking ownership of the Mets.

Q5: What legacy did she leave behind?

Her leadership during a difficult era for the Mets and her role in expanding opportunities for women in sports define her enduring legacy.