Portal:Philadelphia/Selected biography/August 2008

Leonore and Walter Annenberg with Ronald Reagan.

Leonore Annenberg is a billionaire former Chief of Protocol of the United States (1981–1982). A prominent philanthropist, she is the widow of former United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom and influential business magnate Walter Annenberg, and serves as the chairman and president of the Annenberg Foundation. Annenberg was born in New York City and graduated from Stanford University. After her first marriage ended in divorce, she married Walter Annenberg, who was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1969. In her role as the ambassador's wife, Leonore directed a major renovation of the ambassador's official residence. A wealthy couple, they contributed to Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign and upon his inauguration, Leonore was named Chief of Protocol, placing her in charge of advising the president, vice president, and Secretary of State on matters relating to diplomatic protocol. The Annenberg's became major philanthropists, donating money to education facilities, charitable causes, and the arts. Leonore served on many committees and boards as well. Following Walter Annenberg's death in 2002, she continues to donate money and promote the Annenberg Foundation.