MRS. LEONORE ANNENBERG CBE : FRIEND AND BENEFACTOR OF THE MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIPS
Mrs Leonore Annenberg CBE has passed away in Rancho Mirage, California aged 91.
The Marshall Scholarships have lost a great friend and benefactor.
Born in New York City on 20 February 1918, Mrs. Annenberg was educated at Stanford University graduating with a Bachelors Degree in History and Political Science. She married publisher Walter Annenberg in 1951.
Together, Walter and Leonore Annenberg established an unequalled record of creative and generous philanthropy in the United States and the United Kingdom where Walter Annenberg served as US Ambassador from 1969 to 1974. As one British columnist wrote at the time, "everyone who met the Annenbergs carries away vivid impressions of warmth and generosity."
After Ambassador Annenberg's passing in 2002, Mrs. Annenberg became the Chairwoman and President of the Annenberg Foundation and the Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands, California. Combining her passionate belief in the importance of fostering educational excellence with her energy, creative vision and impeccable judgment, Mrs. Annenberg provided outstanding leadership to both foundations. Like her late husband, Mrs. Annenberg's philanthropic priorities focused on supporting medical research, fostering educational excellence and increasing opportunity for under-served populations, as well as preserving great cultural institutions in the United States and the United Kingdom. By the time of her passing, the Annenberg Foundation had made $4.2 billion in grants to numerous universities, hospitals, medical research centers, and cultural centers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Mrs. Annenberg's links to Britain were deep and strong. They began when she served alongside her husband at the Court of St James. She not only established a close and enduring friendship with senior members of the Royal Family, but began to build a remarkable record of creative philanthropy in Britain. It began with the renovation of Winfield House, the US Ambassador's residence and the funding of an endowment for its maintenance. Over the years, the scope and scale of Ambassador and Mrs. Annenberg's creative philanthropy in Britain grew to staggering proportions. Since 1 July 2005, under Mrs. Annenberg's leadership, here is just a partial list of the many British cultural institutions that have benefited from Mrs. Annenberg's generosity : Covent Garden, the Churchill Museum in the Cabinet War Rooms, the Churchill Archives at Churchill College Cambridge, the Royal Opera House, the National Gallery, the Courtauld Institute of Art, the Serpentine Gallet, the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, the National Gallery, the Tate, the British Memorial Garden in New York, the Aegis Trust, Nottinghamshire and Chatham House, the Royal Institute of International Affairs and the British Library.
In 2005, at my request, Mrs. Annenberg made a grant of one million dollars to endow the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Marshall Scholarship in perpetuity for the New York Marshall region. For her it was yet another manifestation of her commitment to fostering educational excellence and closer Anglo-American cultural relations.
In recognition of her unique contribution to Anglo-American cultural relations over three decades, Her Majesty The Queen awarded Mrs. Annenberg a richly deserved CBE. His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales performed the investiture at a private ceremony at Clarence House. Of all the many honors Mrs. Annenberg received during her distinguished philanthropic career, her CBE had a special meaning for her.
I have many wonderful memories of Mrs. Annenberg. The most vivid dates back to September 2002. His Royal Highness The Duke of York was making an official visit to Philadelphia. On a beautiful Sunday evening, I accompanied His Royal Highness in his motorcade to the Philadelphia Art Museum for a gala dinner to raise funds for the Jubilee Fund for at-risk youth in Philadelphia's public schools. With characteristic generosity, Mrs. Annenberg had underwritten the cost of the dinner. As the Royal motorcade pulled up at the Philadelphia Art Museum, there was Mrs. Annenberg waiting to greet His Royal Highness. She stood radiant in an exquisite off-the-shoulder evening dress. Her welcome was warm and gracious displaying all her legendary regal grace and elegant manners.
Recalling that wonderful evening reminds me why Mrs. Annenberg will always be remembered. It was not only her creative and innovative philanthropy, her tireless energy and outstanding leadership. It was also because she embodied the finest human virtues : civility, graciousness, a tireless commitment to better the lives of those less fortunate than herself, unquestionable integrity, impeccable judgment, great wisdom, and generosity of spirit and a capacity for life-long friendship.
Mrs. Annenberg not only left an indelible imprint on American education, but also made a positive difference in the lives of millions of young people. Among them will be exceptional young scholars and future leaders of America who will travel to the United Kingdom as Walter and Leonore Annenberg Marshall Scholars. The Marshall community is forever in her debt. My life, like that of countless others, was immeasurably enriched by the privilege of knowing her. I shall miss her very much.
The New York York Marshall committee extends its heartfelt condolences to her sister Judith, daughters Diane and Elizabeth and step-daughter Wallis, seven grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Dr. Ray Raymond MBE,OCSM,FRSA Chair, New York Marshall Committee
