Walter Annenberg

Walter H. Annenberg (March 13, 1908 – October 1, 2002) was a billionaire publisher and philanthropist.

Philanthropy

Even while an active businessman, he had an interest in public service. Richard Nixon appointed him ambassador to the Court of St. James's in 1969, and he became quite popular in Britain, eventually being knighted. His wife Lee was named by President Ronald Reagan as the State Department's chief of protocol.

Related Topics:
Richard Nixon - Ambassador - Court of St. James's - 1969 - Britain - Knighted - Ronald Reagan - State Department - Protocol

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After the sale of the Philadelphia papers, he established the Annenberg School for Communication at the University of Pennsylvania, which has become the premier school for communication in the United States. He also endowed another school for communication at the University of Southern California. He became a champion of public television, gaining many awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Reagan and the Linus Pauling Medal for Humanitarianism.

Related Topics:
Annenberg School for Communication - University of Pennsylvania - University of Southern California - Public television - Presidential Medal of Freedom - Linus Pauling Medal for Humanitarianism

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In 1989, he created the Annenberg Foundation, then, in 1993, he created the Annenberg Challenge, a $500 million, five-year reform effort and the largest single gift ever made to American public education.

Related Topics:
1989 - Annenberg Foundation - 1993 - Annenberg Challenge

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In 1998 he sold TV Guide, Seventeen, and a few other publications to Australian publishing magnate Rupert Murdoch for $3 billion, announcing that he would devote the rest of his life to philanthropy. The Annenberg Foundation gave away billions, mostly to educational institutions.

Related Topics:
TV Guide - Seventeen - Australia - Rupert Murdoch

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"Education...", he once said, "holds civilization together." Many school buildings, libraries, theaters, hospitals, and museums all over the United States now bear Annenberg's name. It is estimated that he gave over $2 billion in his lifetime. His collection of French impressionist art is valued at approximately $1 billion and has been donated to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.

Related Topics:
United States - Impressionist art - Metropolitan Museum of Art - New York City

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Annenberg died at his home in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, in October 2002, at the age of 94.

Related Topics:
Wynnewood, Pennsylvania - October 2002

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He was survived by his wife Lee, daughter Wallis, and two sisters, Haupt and Evelyn Hall. Including those by his wife's daughters from his first marriage (Diane Deshong and Elizabeth Kabler), he left behind seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

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