Wilma Jeanne Cooper ( October 25 , 1928 -- May 8 , 2013 ) , best known as Jeanne Cooper , was an American actress , best known for her role as Katherine Chancellor on the CBS soap opera `` The Young and the Restless '' ( 1973 -- 2013 ) .
Wilma Jeanne Cooper ( or just Jeanne Cooper ; October 25 , 1928 - May 8 , 2013 ) was an American actress . She was best known for her Emmy Award-winning role as Katherine Chancellor on CBS ' soap opera `` The Young and the Restless '' .