Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Elaine Kaufman died from Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and pulmonary hypertension on December 3, 2010, aged 81. Kaufman willed the establishment to longtime manager Diane Becker. Becker shut down the restaurant soon thereafter; it closed on May 26, 2011. Becker later explained her reason for closing the restaurant: "The truth is, there is no Elaine’s without Elaine...the business is just not there without Elaine."