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{{Short description|American philanthropist and heiress|bot=PearBOT 5}}
{{Short description|American philanthropist and heiress (born 1939)}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2021}}
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|birth_name = Wallis Huberta Annenberg
|birth_name = Wallis Huberta Annenberg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1939|07|15}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1939|07|15}}
| birth_place = [[Philadelphia]]
| birth_place = [[Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| nationality = American
| occupation = Philanthropist<br />President and Chairman of The Annenberg Foundation
| occupation = Philanthropist<br />President and Chairman of The Annenberg Foundation
| alma mater = [[Pine Manor College]]
| salary =
| networth =
| spouse = {{marriage|Seth Weingarten|1960|1975|end=divorced}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Seth Weingarten|1960|1975|end=divorced}}
| parents = [[Walter Annenberg]]<br />Veronica Dunkelman
| parents = [[Walter Annenberg]]<br />Veronica Dunkelman
| children = 4
| children = 4, including [[Lauren Bon]]
| relatives = [[Moses Annenberg]]<br />(paternal grandfather)
| relatives = [[Moses Annenberg]] (grandfather)<br>[[Janet Annenberg Hooker]] (aunt)<br>[[Enid A. Haupt|Enid Haupt]] (aunt)<br>[[Leonore Annenberg]] (stepmother)
| website =
| website =
| footnotes =
| footnotes =
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==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Wallis Annenberg was born in 1939 in [[Philadelphia]],<ref name="vanityfair">{{Cite journal |last=Colacello |first=Bob |title=Bob Colacello on Wallis Annenberg |issue=October |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2009/10/wallis-annenberg200910 |journal=Vanity Fair |date=September 14, 2009 |accessdate=October 16, 2013}}</ref> into a [[American Jews|Jewish]] family, the daughter of publishing magnate [[Walter Hubert Annenberg]], and his first wife, Bernice Veronica Dunkelman (known as Ronny), a socialite from [[Toronto]], Canada. Her grandfather [[Moses Annenberg]] (1877–1942), owner of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'',<ref>{{Cite news |last=Glueck |first=Grace |date=October 2, 2002 |title=Walter Annenberg, 94, Dies; Philanthropist and Publisher |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/02/arts/walter-annenberg-94-dies-philanthropist-and-publisher.html |access-date=January 14, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> emigrated from Germany to Chicago in 1900. Her father owned a {{convert|15|acre|m2|adj=on}} estate called ''Inwood'', where Wallis was raised. When she was ten years old, her parents divorced and her mother moved to Washington, D.C., to marry Ben Ourisman, a [[Chevrolet]] car dealer.<ref name="vanityfair" /> Meanwhile, her father remarried in the year after the divorce to [[Leonore Annenberg|Leonore "Lee" Cohn]], the niece of [[Columbia Pictures]] President [[Harry Cohn]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McFadden |first=Robert D. |date=March 12, 2009 |title=Leonore Annenberg, Philanthropist, Dies at 91 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/business/13annenberg.html |access-date=January 14, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
Wallis Annenberg was born in 1939 in [[Philadelphia]],<ref name="vanityfair">{{Cite magazine |last=Colacello |first=Bob |title=Bob Colacello on Wallis Annenberg |issue=October |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/style/features/2009/10/wallis-annenberg200910 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=September 14, 2009 |access-date=October 16, 2013}}</ref> into a [[American Jews|Jewish]] family, the daughter of publishing magnate [[Walter Hubert Annenberg]], and his first wife, Bernice Veronica Dunkelman, known as Ronny, a socialite from [[Toronto]], Canada. Her grandfather [[Moses Annenberg]] (1877–1942), owner of ''[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]'',<ref name="Glueck NYT">{{Cite news |last=Glueck |first=Grace |date=October 2, 2002 |title=Walter Annenberg, 94, Dies; Philanthropist and Publisher |language=en-US |newspaper=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/02/arts/walter-annenberg-94-dies-philanthropist-and-publisher.html |access-date=January 14, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> emigrated from Germany to [[Chicago]] in 1900. Her father owned a {{convert|15|acre|m2|adj=on}} estate called ''Inwood'', where Wallis was raised.<ref name="vanityfair" />


When she was 10 years old, her parents divorced and her mother moved to [[Washington, D.C.]], to marry Ben Ourisman, a [[Chevrolet]] car dealer.<ref name="vanityfair" /> Meanwhile, her father remarried in the year after the divorce to [[Leonore Annenberg|Leonore "Lee" Cohn]], the niece of [[Columbia Pictures]] President [[Harry Cohn]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=McFadden |first=Robert D. |date=March 12, 2009 |title=Leonore Annenberg, Philanthropist, Dies at 91 |language=en-US |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/13/business/13annenberg.html |access-date=January 14, 2020 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
⚫
She graduated from [[Pine Manor College]] in 1959 when it was a [[Community college|junior college]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1899&dat=19860520&id=DY5GAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VvMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3551,2832754 |title=The Lewiston Journal - Google News Archive Search |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130930003911/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1899&dat=19860520&id=DY5GAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VvMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3551,2832754 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19860519&id=IswlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TvwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1333,4771892 |title=Gettysburg Times - Google News Archive Search |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130930003831/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19860519&id=IswlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TvwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1333,4771892 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>


⚫
Wallis Annenberg graduated in 1959 from [[Pine Manor College]], when it was a [[Community college|junior college]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1899&dat=19860520&id=DY5GAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VvMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3551,2832754 |title=Communications center opened|newspaper=The Lewiston Journal|date=May 20, 1986|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130930003911/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1899&dat=19860520&id=DY5GAAAAIBAJ&sjid=VvMMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3551,2832754 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19860519&id=IswlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TvwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1333,4771892 |title=Nancy Reagan|newspaper=Gettysburg Times |date=May 19, 1986 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130930003831/http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19860519&id=IswlAAAAIBAJ&sjid=TvwFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1333,4771892 |archive-date=30 September 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
⚫
She had a brother, Roger, who committed suicide at a psychiatric institution in [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania]] at age 22 in 1962 while on leave from [[Harvard University]] for treatment of [[schizophrenia]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=October 2, 2002 |title=Walter Annenberg, 94, Dies; Philanthropist and Publisher - New York Times |work=Nytimes.com |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/02/arts/walter-annenberg-94-dies-philanthropist-and-publisher.html?pagewanted=all&src=pm |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gazette: The Good Citizen (Mar/Apr 2003) |url=http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0303/giresi3.html |publisher=Upenn.edu |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 19, 1995 |title=In Billionaire's View, Smart Money Is On Education Walter Annenberg Has Donated Millions. Recent Recipients Include Phila. Public Schools. - Philly.com |url=http://articles.philly.com/1995-03-19/news/25702303_1_walter-h-annenberg-public-schools-education-reform |publisher=Articles.philly.com |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref> She named one of her sons after her brother.<ref name="vanityfair" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pine Manor College Alumni: Wallis Annenberg, Hillary B. Smith, Pauline Tompkins, Leslie Hindman by Books LLC &#124; 9781158300976 &#124; Barnes & Noble |url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/enwiki/w/pine-manor-college-alumni-books-llc/1023340095?ean=9781158300976 |publisher=Barnesandnoble.com |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>

⚫
She had a brother, Roger, who committed suicide at a psychiatric institution in [[Bucks County, Pennsylvania]], at the age of 22 in 1962, while on leave from [[Harvard University]] for treatment of [[schizophrenia]].<ref name="Glueck NYT" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Gazette: The Good Citizen (Mar/Apr 2003) |url=http://www.upenn.edu/gazette/0303/giresi3.html |publisher=Upenn.edu |access-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 19, 1995 |title=In Billionaire's View, Smart Money Is On Education Walter Annenberg Has Donated Millions. Recent Recipients Include Phila. Public Schools. - Philly.com |url=http://articles.philly.com/1995-03-19/news/25702303_1_walter-h-annenberg-public-schools-education-reform |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020034538/http://articles.philly.com/1995-03-19/news/25702303_1_walter-h-annenberg-public-schools-education-reform |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 20, 2013 |publisher=Articles.philly.com |access-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref> She named one of her sons after her brother.<ref name="vanityfair" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Pine Manor College Alumni: Wallis Annenberg, Hillary B. Smith, Pauline Tompkins, Leslie Hindman by Books LLC &#124; 9781158300976 &#124; Barnes & Noble |url=http://www.barnesandnoble.com/enwiki/w/pine-manor-college-alumni-books-llc/1023340095?ean=9781158300976 |publisher=Barnesandnoble.com |access-date=October 13, 2013}}</ref>


==Marriage and divorce==
==Marriage and divorce==
On a trip to [[Venice]], in 1959, to celebrate completion of junior college, Annenberg met Seth Weingarten, who had just completed his undergraduate education at [[Princeton University]] and was looking forward to [[Yale Medical School]]. They quickly fell in love and, after only one year of studies at Columbia, Annenberg dropped out of school and married Weingarten at Inwood in 1960.<ref name="vanityfair" /> They moved around the country, following her husband's career, and having four children in the process: [[Lauren Bon|Lauren]] (born in [[New Haven, Connecticut]] in 1961), Roger (who was named after Wallis's deceased brother), Gregory (born in New York City during Weingarten's residency at [[New York Hospital]]), and Charles (born in [[Roswell, New Mexico]] where Weingarten was serving as a medical officer at [[Walker Air Force Base]]).<ref name="vanityfair" /> At her insistence, Weingarten accepted a position at UCLA (at the hospital now known as [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center]]) and they established a permanent home in California.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Colacello |first=Bob |title=Bob Colacello on Wallis Annenberg |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/10/wallis-annenberg200910 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |journal=Vanity Fair |date=September 14, 2009 |issue=October |language=en}}</ref>
On a trip to [[Venice]], in 1959, to celebrate completion of junior college, Annenberg met Seth Weingarten, who had just completed his undergraduate education at [[Princeton University]] and was looking forward to [[Yale Medical School]]. They quickly fell in love and, after only one year of studies at Columbia, Annenberg dropped out of school and married Weingarten at Inwood in 1960.<ref name="vanityfair" /> They moved around the country, following her husband's career.<ref name="vanityfair" />


They had four children: [[Lauren Bon|Lauren]], born in [[New Haven, Connecticut]] in 1961, Roger, who was named after Wallis's deceased brother, Gregory, born in New York City during Weingarten's residency at [[Weill Cornell Medical Center|New York Hospital]], and Charles, born in [[Roswell, New Mexico]] where Weingarten was serving as a medical officer at [[Walker Air Force Base]].<ref name="vanityfair" /> At her insistence, Weingarten accepted a position at UCLA, at the hospital now known as [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center]], and they established a permanent home in California.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |last=Colacello |first=Bob |title=Bob Colacello on Wallis Annenberg |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2009/10/wallis-annenberg200910 |access-date=January 14, 2020 |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=September 14, 2009 |issue=October |language=en}}</ref>
⚫
In 1975, she divorced Dr. Weingarten and in 1978 he won the custody of the children. One year later he offered Wallis full custody.<ref name=":0" />

⚫
In 1975, she divorced Weingarten. In 1978, he won the custody of the children. In 1979, he offered Wallis full custody.<ref name=":0" />


== Career ==
== Career ==
Then Wallis started to work for [[Triangle Publications]], which included ''[[TV Guide]]'' and ''[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]]'' magazine, as well as radio and TV stations nationwide. At this time her father was its chairman of the board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Influential Family Owned Businesses 2019: THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION {{!}} Los Angeles Business Journal |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2019/oct/28/most-influential-family-owned-businesses-2019-anne/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |website=labusinessjournal.com}}</ref> She stayed for three years after its sale to [[Rupert Murdoch]] in 1988.<ref name="vanityfair" />
When Wallis started to work for [[Triangle Publications]], which included ''[[TV Guide]]'' and ''[[Seventeen (American magazine)|Seventeen]]'' magazine, as well as radio and TV stations nationwide, her father was its chairman of the board.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Influential Family Owned Businesses 2019: THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION {{!}} Los Angeles Business Journal |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2019/oct/28/most-influential-family-owned-businesses-2019-anne/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |website=labusinessjournal.com|date=October 28, 2019 }}</ref> She stayed for three years after its sale to [[Rupert Murdoch]] in 1988.<ref name="vanityfair" />


She appeared on ''[[The Joan Rivers Show]]'' on the new Fox television network in 1986, alongside actresses [[Lucille Ball]] and [[Michele Lee]].
She appeared on ''[[The Joan Rivers Show]]'' on the new Fox television network in 1986, alongside actresses [[Lucille Ball]] and [[Michele Lee]].


==Philanthropy==
==Philanthropy==
After she passed away in March 2009, Leonore Anneberg left the leadership of the Annenberg Foundation to Wallis and three of her children: Lauren, Gregory and Charles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Influential Family Owned Businesses 2019: THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION {{!}} Los Angeles Business Journal |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2019/oct/28/most-influential-family-owned-businesses-2019-anne/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |website=labusinessjournal.com}}</ref> Wallis Annenberg today carries on her father's legacy as a public benefactor. As chairman and president of the [[Annenberg Foundation]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Abidi |first=Alina |date=April 19, 2017 |title=Wallis Annenberg announces donation |url=http://dailytrojan.com/2017/04/18/wallis-annenberg-announces-donation/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |website=Daily Trojan |language=en-US}}</ref> she donates the family name and fortune to philanthropic and charitable projects, largely to the benefit of [[Los Angeles County]]. She is on the [[board of trustees]] at the [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]] as well as at the [[Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles]]. She is also a supporter of the [[Harlem Children's Zone]], the Ojai Foundation's "Council project" for [[inner-city]] kids, and the [[Ocean Alliance]].<ref name="vanityfair" /> She serves on the board of trustees at the [[University of Southern California]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trustees {{!}} Board of Trustees {{!}} USC |url=https://boardoftrustees.usc.edu/trustees/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |website=boardoftrustees.usc.edu}}</ref> (home of the [[USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism]]); the Wallis Annenberg Hall at USC was opened at part of the Annenberg School in 2014. In 2017 she was honored with the USC University Medallion for her philanthropy and leadership.<ref name=":1" />
After she died in March 2009, Leonore Annenberg left the leadership of the Annenberg Foundation to Wallis and three of her children: Lauren, Gregory and Charles.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Most Influential Family Owned Businesses 2019: THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION {{!}} Los Angeles Business Journal |url=https://labusinessjournal.com/news/2019/oct/28/most-influential-family-owned-businesses-2019-anne/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |website=labusinessjournal.com|date=October 28, 2019 }}</ref> Wallis Annenberg today carries on her father's legacy as a public benefactor. As chairman and president of the [[Annenberg Foundation]],<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Abidi |first=Alina |date=April 19, 2017 |title=Wallis Annenberg announces donation |url=http://dailytrojan.com/2017/04/18/wallis-annenberg-announces-donation/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |website=Daily Trojan |language=en-US}}</ref> she donates the family name and fortune to philanthropic and charitable projects, largely to the benefit of [[Los Angeles County]].
She is on the [[board of trustees]] at the [[Los Angeles County Museum of Art]], and at the [[Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles]]. She is a supporter of the [[Harlem Children's Zone]], the Ojai Foundation's "Council project" for [[inner-city]] kids, and the [[Ocean Alliance]].<ref name="vanityfair" /> She serves on the board of trustees at the [[University of Southern California]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trustees {{!}} Board of Trustees {{!}} USC |url=https://boardoftrustees.usc.edu/trustees/ |access-date=January 14, 2020 |website=boardoftrustees.usc.edu}}</ref> home of the [[USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism]]. In 2014, the Wallis Annenberg Hall at USC was opened at part of the Annenberg School. In 2017, she was honored with the USC University Medallion for her philanthropy and leadership.<ref name=":1" />


She is involved with the Wallis Annenberg Concourse at the [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center]] as well as the [[Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts]], which held its opening gala in October 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts &#124; Beverly Hills California |url=http://www.thewallis.org/ |publisher=Thewallis.org |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
She is involved with the Wallis Annenberg Concourse at the [[Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center]], and the [[Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts]], which held its opening gala in October 2013.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts &#124; Beverly Hills California |url=http://www.thewallis.org/ |publisher=Thewallis.org |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>


She was inspired by and provided funding to build the ''Universally-Accessible Treehouse'' in [[Torrance, California]].<ref name="treehouse">{{Cite web |title=Foundation News |url=http://www.annenbergfoundation.org/news/news_show.htm?doc_id=362990 |publisher=Annenberg Foundation |accessdate=October 16, 2013}}</ref> "It is thrilling to be able to make it possible for people of all ages and physical abilities to experience the world from a treehouse," said Wallis Annenberg. "There's a sense of vision, fun and pure escape that only such a structure can provide."<ref name="treehouse" />
She was inspired by and provided funding to build the ''Universally-Accessible Treehouse'' in [[Torrance, California]].<ref name="treehouse">{{Cite web |title=Foundation News |url=http://www.annenbergfoundation.org/news/news_show.htm?doc_id=362990 |publisher=Annenberg Foundation |accessdate=October 16, 2013}}</ref> "It is thrilling to be able to make it possible for people of all ages and physical abilities to experience the world from a treehouse," said Wallis Annenberg. "There's a sense of vision, fun and pure escape that only such a structure can provide."<ref name="treehouse" />
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Annenberg serves on the board of directors for the New York-based chapter of the foundation of [[Princess Charlene of Monaco]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2018 |title=The Foundation - Princess Charlene of Monaco foundation |url=http://www.pcmfusa.org/en/the-foundation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181226111622/http://www.pcmfusa.org/en/the-foundation |archive-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>
Annenberg serves on the board of directors for the New York-based chapter of the foundation of [[Princess Charlene of Monaco]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 26, 2018 |title=The Foundation - Princess Charlene of Monaco foundation |url=http://www.pcmfusa.org/en/the-foundation |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181226111622/http://www.pcmfusa.org/en/the-foundation |archive-date=December 26, 2018}}</ref>


Her children [[Lauren Bon]], Gregory Weingarten and Charles Weingarten serve on the board of directors of the [[Annenberg Foundation]]. Her son Roger Weingarten, a resident of Devereux<ref name="sb_programs |title=California Programs |publisher=Devereux |accessdate=October 16, 2013}}</ref">{{Cite web |title=California Programs |url=http://www.devereux.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sb_programs |publisher=Devereux |accessdate=October 16, 2013}}</ref> in [[Santa Barbara, California]] who was diagnosed schizophrenic at age 15 like his namesake,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ogden |first=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0SujCRdh4gC&q=roger+annenberg+weingarten+schizophrenic&pg=PA475 |title=Legacy: A Biography of Moses and Walter Annenberg - Christopher Ogden - Google Books |date=November 11, 2009 |isbn=9780316092449 |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref><ref name="wmagazine1">{{Cite web |title=Firm Foundation &#124; Culture > Art & Design |url=http://www.wmagazine.com/culture/art-and-design/2008/11/wallis_annenberg/ |publisher=Wmagazine.com |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref> is not on the board.<ref name="wmagazine1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Newsletter - Spring 2003 : Everyone Goes Home A Winner ! |url=http://www.devereux.org/site/DocServer/NewsletterDevereux2003.pdf?docID=421 |publisher=Devereux.org |accessdate=October 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ogden |first=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0SujCRdh4gC&q=roger+annenberg+weingarten+devereux&pg=PA475 |title=Legacy: A Biography of Moses and Walter Annenberg - Christopher Ogden - Google Books |date=November 11, 2009 |isbn=9780316092449 |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
Her children [[Lauren Bon]], Gregory Weingarten and Charles Weingarten serve on the board of directors of the [[Annenberg Foundation]]. Her son Roger Weingarten, a resident of Devereux<ref name="sb_programs">{{Cite web |title=California Programs |url=http://www.devereux.org/site/PageServer?pagename=sb_programs |publisher=Devereux |accessdate=October 16, 2013}}</ref> in [[Santa Barbara, California]], who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 15, like his namesake,<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ogden |first=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0SujCRdh4gC&q=roger+annenberg+weingarten+schizophrenic&pg=PA475 |title=Legacy: A Biography of Moses and Walter Annenberg - Christopher Ogden - Google Books |date=November 11, 2009 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=9780316092449 |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref><ref name="wmagazine1">{{Cite web |title=Firm Foundation &#124; Culture > Art & Design |url=http://www.wmagazine.com/culture/art-and-design/2008/11/wallis_annenberg/ |publisher=Wmagazine.com |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref> is not on the board.<ref name="wmagazine1" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Independence Newsletter - Spring 2003 : Everyone Goes Home A Winner ! |url=http://www.devereux.org/site/DocServer/NewsletterDevereux2003.pdf?docID=421 |publisher=Devereux.org |accessdate=October 16, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=Ogden |first=Christopher |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=n0SujCRdh4gC&q=roger+annenberg+weingarten+devereux&pg=PA475 |title=Legacy: A Biography of Moses and Walter Annenberg - Christopher Ogden - Google Books |date=November 11, 2009 |publisher=Little, Brown |isbn=9780316092449 |accessdate=October 13, 2013}}</ref>
Despite her father leaving the majority of his multibillion-dollar fortune to the Annenberg Foundation, it is estimated that Annenberg has a personal fortune in excess of five hundred million dollars.
Despite her father leaving the majority of his multibillion-dollar fortune to the Annenberg Foundation, it is estimated that Annenberg has a personal fortune in excess of five hundred million dollars.


Philanthropic projects include Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Annenberg Space for Photography, Annenberg Community Beach House and [[Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing]].
Philanthropic projects include Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Annenberg Space for Photography, Annenberg Community Beach House and the [[Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing]].


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Annenberg family|Wallis]]
[[Category:Annenberg family|Wallis]]
[[Category:American billionaires]]
[[Category:American billionaires]]
[[Category:Jewish American philanthropists]]
[[Category:21st-century American philanthropists]]
[[Category:American socialites]]
[[Category:American socialites]]
[[Category:People from Philadelphia]]
[[Category:People from Philadelphia]]
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[[Category:Philanthropists from California]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from California]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:Philanthropists from Pennsylvania]]
[[Category:California Democrats]]
[[Category:Pine Manor College alumni]]
[[Category:Pine Manor College alumni]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:1939 births]]

Latest revision as of 20:45, 31 October 2024

Wallis Annenberg
Annenberg in 1981
Born
Wallis Huberta Annenberg

(1939-07-15) July 15, 1939 (age 85)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma materPine Manor College
Occupation(s)Philanthropist
President and Chairman of The Annenberg Foundation
Spouse
Seth Weingarten
​
​
(m. 1960; div. 1975)​
Children4, including Lauren Bon
Parent(s)Walter Annenberg
Veronica Dunkelman
RelativesMoses Annenberg (grandfather)
Janet Annenberg Hooker (aunt)
Enid Haupt (aunt)
Leonore Annenberg (stepmother)

Wallis Huberta Annenberg (born July 15, 1939) is an American philanthropist and heiress. Annenberg serves as president and chairwoman of the Board of The Annenberg Foundation, a multibillion-dollar philanthropic organization in the United States.[1]

Early life and education

[edit]

Wallis Annenberg was born in 1939 in Philadelphia,[2] into a Jewish family, the daughter of publishing magnate Walter Hubert Annenberg, and his first wife, Bernice Veronica Dunkelman, known as Ronny, a socialite from Toronto, Canada. Her grandfather Moses Annenberg (1877–1942), owner of The Philadelphia Inquirer,[3] emigrated from Germany to Chicago in 1900. Her father owned a 15-acre (61,000 m2) estate called Inwood, where Wallis was raised.[2]

When she was 10 years old, her parents divorced and her mother moved to Washington, D.C., to marry Ben Ourisman, a Chevrolet car dealer.[2] Meanwhile, her father remarried in the year after the divorce to Leonore "Lee" Cohn, the niece of Columbia Pictures President Harry Cohn.[4]

Wallis Annenberg graduated in 1959 from Pine Manor College, when it was a junior college.[5][6]

She had a brother, Roger, who committed suicide at a psychiatric institution in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, at the age of 22 in 1962, while on leave from Harvard University for treatment of schizophrenia.[3][7][8] She named one of her sons after her brother.[2][9]

Marriage and divorce

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On a trip to Venice, in 1959, to celebrate completion of junior college, Annenberg met Seth Weingarten, who had just completed his undergraduate education at Princeton University and was looking forward to Yale Medical School. They quickly fell in love and, after only one year of studies at Columbia, Annenberg dropped out of school and married Weingarten at Inwood in 1960.[2] They moved around the country, following her husband's career.[2]

They had four children: Lauren, born in New Haven, Connecticut in 1961, Roger, who was named after Wallis's deceased brother, Gregory, born in New York City during Weingarten's residency at New York Hospital, and Charles, born in Roswell, New Mexico where Weingarten was serving as a medical officer at Walker Air Force Base.[2] At her insistence, Weingarten accepted a position at UCLA, at the hospital now known as Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and they established a permanent home in California.[10]

In 1975, she divorced Weingarten. In 1978, he won the custody of the children. In 1979, he offered Wallis full custody.[10]

Career

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When Wallis started to work for Triangle Publications, which included TV Guide and Seventeen magazine, as well as radio and TV stations nationwide, her father was its chairman of the board.[11] She stayed for three years after its sale to Rupert Murdoch in 1988.[2]

She appeared on The Joan Rivers Show on the new Fox television network in 1986, alongside actresses Lucille Ball and Michele Lee.

Philanthropy

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After she died in March 2009, Leonore Annenberg left the leadership of the Annenberg Foundation to Wallis and three of her children: Lauren, Gregory and Charles.[12] Wallis Annenberg today carries on her father's legacy as a public benefactor. As chairman and president of the Annenberg Foundation,[13] she donates the family name and fortune to philanthropic and charitable projects, largely to the benefit of Los Angeles County.

She is on the board of trustees at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles. She is a supporter of the Harlem Children's Zone, the Ojai Foundation's "Council project" for inner-city kids, and the Ocean Alliance.[2] She serves on the board of trustees at the University of Southern California,[14] home of the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. In 2014, the Wallis Annenberg Hall at USC was opened at part of the Annenberg School. In 2017, she was honored with the USC University Medallion for her philanthropy and leadership.[13]

She is involved with the Wallis Annenberg Concourse at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, which held its opening gala in October 2013.[15]

She was inspired by and provided funding to build the Universally-Accessible Treehouse in Torrance, California.[16] "It is thrilling to be able to make it possible for people of all ages and physical abilities to experience the world from a treehouse," said Wallis Annenberg. "There's a sense of vision, fun and pure escape that only such a structure can provide."[16]

Annenberg serves on the board of directors for the New York-based chapter of the foundation of Princess Charlene of Monaco.[17]

Her children Lauren Bon, Gregory Weingarten and Charles Weingarten serve on the board of directors of the Annenberg Foundation. Her son Roger Weingarten, a resident of Devereux[18] in Santa Barbara, California, who was diagnosed with schizophrenia at age 15, like his namesake,[19][20] is not on the board.[20][21][22] Despite her father leaving the majority of his multibillion-dollar fortune to the Annenberg Foundation, it is estimated that Annenberg has a personal fortune in excess of five hundred million dollars.

Philanthropic projects include Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Annenberg Space for Photography, Annenberg Community Beach House and the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing.

References

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  1. ^ "Graphic: MOCA Board: Meet the billionaires - Data Desk - Los Angeles Times". Graphics.latimes.com. September 14, 2012. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Colacello, Bob (September 14, 2009). "Bob Colacello on Wallis Annenberg". Vanity Fair. No. October. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  3. ^ a b Glueck, Grace (October 2, 2002). "Walter Annenberg, 94, Dies; Philanthropist and Publisher". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  4. ^ McFadden, Robert D. (March 12, 2009). "Leonore Annenberg, Philanthropist, Dies at 91". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  5. ^ "Communications center opened". The Lewiston Journal. May 20, 1986. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013.
  6. ^ "Nancy Reagan". Gettysburg Times. May 19, 1986. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013.
  7. ^ "Gazette: The Good Citizen (Mar/Apr 2003)". Upenn.edu. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  8. ^ "In Billionaire's View, Smart Money Is On Education Walter Annenberg Has Donated Millions. Recent Recipients Include Phila. Public Schools. - Philly.com". Articles.philly.com. March 19, 1995. Archived from the original on October 20, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  9. ^ "Pine Manor College Alumni: Wallis Annenberg, Hillary B. Smith, Pauline Tompkins, Leslie Hindman by Books LLC | 9781158300976 | Barnes & Noble". Barnesandnoble.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Colacello, Bob (September 14, 2009). "Bob Colacello on Wallis Annenberg". Vanity Fair. No. October. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  11. ^ "Most Influential Family Owned Businesses 2019: THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION | Los Angeles Business Journal". labusinessjournal.com. October 28, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  12. ^ "Most Influential Family Owned Businesses 2019: THE ANNENBERG FOUNDATION | Los Angeles Business Journal". labusinessjournal.com. October 28, 2019. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  13. ^ a b Abidi, Alina (April 19, 2017). "Wallis Annenberg announces donation". Daily Trojan. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  14. ^ "Trustees | Board of Trustees | USC". boardoftrustees.usc.edu. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  15. ^ "Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts | Beverly Hills California". Thewallis.org. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  16. ^ a b "Foundation News". Annenberg Foundation. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  17. ^ "The Foundation - Princess Charlene of Monaco foundation". December 26, 2018. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018.
  18. ^ "California Programs". Devereux. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  19. ^ Ogden, Christopher (November 11, 2009). Legacy: A Biography of Moses and Walter Annenberg - Christopher Ogden - Google Books. Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316092449. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  20. ^ a b "Firm Foundation | Culture > Art & Design". Wmagazine.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  21. ^ "Independence Newsletter - Spring 2003 : Everyone Goes Home A Winner !" (PDF). Devereux.org. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  22. ^ Ogden, Christopher (November 11, 2009). Legacy: A Biography of Moses and Walter Annenberg - Christopher Ogden - Google Books. Little, Brown. ISBN 9780316092449. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
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