Wallis Annenberg, a prominent philanthropist whose name is synonymous with cultural development in Los Angeles, passed away on Monday at her home at the age of 86.
The family revealed that she died from complications related to lung cancer, stating, “Wallis transitioned peacefully and comfortably this morning to her new adventure.
She was surrounded with love. Cancer may have beaten her body, but it never got her spirit. We will hold her and her wisdom in our hearts forever.”
Annenberg, an heiress to her father’s publishing empire, served as the chairwoman of the board, president, and chief executive of the Annenberg Foundation, which was founded by Walter Annenberg in 1989 after his sale of TV Guide and other publications to News Corp.
The foundation has become a significant player in philanthropy, managing about $1.2 billion in assets and distributing more than $1.5 billion to various organizations and nonprofits in Los Angeles County since Wallis Annenberg assumed leadership in 2002.
In tribute to their mother, her children, Lauren Bon, Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, and Charles Annenberg Weingarten, expressed their admiration, saying: “To the public, she was a dynamic force in philanthropy, to us, she was a mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, and a force of nature.
Her life and family remain committed to honoring public service. Her generosity and commitment will be lifting people up for many generations to come.”
Annenberg’s deep-rooted passion for the arts was evident through her initiatives aimed at making cultural activities accessible to all.
She established the free Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City in 2009, which showcased exhibitions focused on significant global issues such as the refugee crisis and war photography.
Though the space closed during the pandemic in 2020, its archival materials continue to be accessible online. Annenberg also held long-standing board memberships at both the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), and her commitment to LACMA was highlighted by her $10 million donation in 2002, which endowed the museum director’s position.
LACMA Chief Executive Michael Govan praised Annenberg’s impactful philanthropy, commenting that she influenced community improvement from public access to beaches to the importance of the arts in everyday life, reinforcing her legacy within Los Angeles.
David Dreier, a former congressman and friend of Annenberg, emphasized her unmatched dedication to the city, noting her effectiveness in various community issues.
Governor Gavin Newsom remarked on Annenberg’s commitment to diverse causes, stating, “Whether it’s older people facing social isolation, kids in need of support, pets needing a home, or wild animals trying to cross a dangerous freeway, Wallis supported all communities.
She was a visionary who believed not just in a better world, but in a kinder one.
She worked on broader societal issues, including funding medical research, economic development, and environmental protection.”
Under Annenberg’s leadership, the Annenberg Foundation produced significant funds, including $38.5 million in low-interest loans for the construction of the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, which opened in Beverly Hills in 2013.
The center has since become a vibrant cultural hub, providing numerous performances from artists like Patti LuPone and Sarah Silverman, and offering extensive educational programs.
Philanthropist Eli Broad once referred to the center as “another jewel in the region’s cultural crown.”
Robert van Leer, executive director of the Annenberg Center, expressed his condolences and committed to honoring Annenberg’s legacy through continued support for diverse voices and the nurturing of new generations of artists and audiences.
A significant portion of Wallis Annenberg’s contributions has also been aimed at enhancing educational equity.
After her father’s establishment of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in 1971, she helped steer its vision forward.
In 2011, Annenberg donated $50 million to construct the Wallis Annenberg Hall, which significantly expanded the school’s facilities.
Her recent charitable efforts were highlighted by a $5 million gift to the university for a cutting-edge multimedia production studio, scheduled to open in August on USC’s Capital Campus in Washington, D.C.
Exposition Park saw a substantial enhancement in 2004 through the opening of the Wallis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center, driven by a $25 million challenge grant from Annenberg.
Redesigned by architect Thom Mayne, the building now hosts classrooms and laboratories for educational programming.
Annenberg’s dedication to education also included funding exhibitions at the Science Center, such as the interactive exhibit “Dogs! A Science Tail,” which reopened in May.
A staunch advocate for public spaces, Annenberg played an instrumental role in the creation of the Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, which she helped fund in 2004 after it was suggested that it might be developed privately.
This facility remains a free public resource, featuring playgrounds, galleries, and volleyball courts.
Annenberg’s love for animals was represented through initiatives like the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, an ambitious project designed to be the world’s largest urban wildlife crossing spanning across 10 lanes of the 101 Freeway, intended to facilitate safe crossings for local wildlife.
This significant undertaking received initial funding through a $1 million challenge grant from Annenberg in 2016 and a further $25 million in 2021.
Construction details have progressed, and it is set for completion by 2026.
Annenberg voiced her hope for the future, stating: “I imagine a future for all the wildlife in our area where it’s possible to survive and thrive and the placement of this first soil on the bridge means another step closer to reality.”
Additionally, she established the Wallis Annenberg PetSpace in 2017, based in Silicon Beach, which provides a facility for rehabilitating animals considered “unadoptable” while offering classes and facilitating new adoptions.
In the latter years of her life, Annenberg focused on improving the quality of life for older adults, leading to the opening of the Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, a senior center in Koreatown, in 2022.
This community space allows seniors to explore new interests through offerings like belly dancing, horticultural therapy, and financial literacy education.
The center also hosts a variety of social events, including concerts, dances, and game nights.
In response to wildfires earlier this year, the Annenberg Foundation provided support to recovery efforts, donating to local nonprofits and organizations, including the Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation.
Born Wallis Huberta Annenberg in the affluent Main Line area of Philadelphia, she moved at age ten to Washington, D.C.
Her mother was Bernice Veronica Dunkelman, known as Ronny.
Tragedy struck early when her younger brother, Roger, passed away at the age of 22 in 1962.
Annenberg graduated from Pine Manor Junior College in Wellesley, Mass., and attended Columbia University for one year before committing to marriage with neurosurgeon Seth Weingarten, which ended in divorce in 1975.
The family relocated to Los Angeles in the early 1970s, where Annenberg became captivated by the city’s dynamic culture.
Despite her significant public profile, she preferred to maintain a low-key demeanor, which was characteristic of her private life spent with family, enjoying evenings with her children and grandchildren.
Annenberg had a passion for sports, particularly enjoying football while relaxing at home.
Her philanthropic impact extended globally, yet her core commitment remained focused on improving life in Los Angeles.
In recognition of her philanthropic efforts, Annenberg received the National Humanities Medal from President Biden in 2022.
The leadership of the Annenberg Foundation is set to transition to the next generation, with three of Annenberg’s children on the board of directors: Lauren Bon, Gregory Annenberg Weingarten, and Charles Annenberg Weingarten, while Roger Annenberg Weingarten resides in Los Angeles.
Lauren is an artist and the founding director of Metabolic Studio, which addresses environmental concerns.
Gregory, once a journalist, is now an exhibiting artist, while Charles is a filmmaker and philanthropist focusing on documenting selfless acts around the world along with wildlife monitoring.
Wallis Annenberg is survived by her four children, five grandchildren, and a great-grandchild.
image source from：latimes
