In remembrance: Wallis Annenberg, 86, groundbreaking philanthropist and USC Life Trustee

Wallis Annenberg, USC Life Trustee and pioneering philanthropist whose decisive investments improved the lives of countless Angelenos and individuals worldwide, passed away on July 28 in Los Angeles. She was 86.

A transformative influence in American philanthropy, Annenberg redefined how foundations collaborate with communities by supporting courageous initiatives based on compassion, accessibility, and innovation.

Since taking the reins of the Annenberg Foundation in 2009, Annenberg amplified its contributions significantly, injecting $1.5 billion into nearly 3,000 nonprofits, community environments, and innovative projects.

“Wallis was relentless in her mission to enhance the world for all,” stated USC Interim President Beong-Soo Kim. “Her commitment, empathy, and philanthropy have molded Southern California, leaving a legacy that motivates others.”

Annenberg’s extended leadership advanced arts and culture, education, environmental conservation, animal welfare, elder care, healthcare accessibility, and social justice — promoting opportunities and dignity for millions.

Her philanthropic mark is notable throughout Southern California in the myriad locations she contributed to, such as the Annenberg Space for Photography, Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, The Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, Annenberg Community Beach House, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, and the state’s inaugural universally accessible public treehouse.

She held the belief that philanthropy transcended mere financial donations; it should inspire scalable models of change, empower local visionaries, and foster connections for individuals to flourish.

“We undertake a distinctive approach: We invest in innovators. Rule-breakers. Individuals who are establishing entirely new frameworks for change,” she expressed in a 2019 interview. “In this way, their examples can be replicated and amplified, provoking change on a magnitude no philanthropist could ever finance. That’s our strategy, and I take great pride in what we’ve accomplished.”

A lifelong supporter of education and the free press, Annenberg’s influence on USC is both significant and lasting. Since her father, U.S. Ambassador Walter H. Annenberg, established the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism in 1971, the Annenberg family and foundation have contributed over $350 million to USC.

In 2010, a $50 million premier donation facilitated the establishment of Wallis Annenberg Hall — a state-of-the-art facility designed to reflect a 21st-century media landscape. Most recently, a $5 million contribution from Annenberg and the foundation led to the creation of a new multimedia production studio named in her honor on the USC Capital Campus.

“A bold and thoughtful philanthropist, Wallis was our advocate, especially as a lifelong supporter of the vital role communication and journalism play in enhancing our society and upholding our democracy,” said USC Annenberg Dean

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Willow Bay remarked. “She motivated each of us at the USC Annenberg School to adopt innovation and significant transformation. Her legacy here continues to resonate in every life her kindness influenced.”

In 2017, Annenberg was honored as the fourth laureate of USC’s University Medallion, following her father’s footsteps. She also initiated endowed chairs in communication and journalism, created fellowships that promote research on women and families, and financed leadership programs aimed at diversifying the journalism field.

“It began with the belief that a premier school of journalism and communication paves the way — acts as an incubator for transformation,” Annenberg stated at the 2014 inauguration of Wallis Annenberg Hall. “It doesn’t merely predict the future; it shapes it into reality.”

Annenberg’s dedication to service garnered her numerous honors, especially the National Humanities Medal from President Joe Biden for her efforts to enhance the nation’s comprehension of the human experience and broaden access to cultural assets. In 2003, Annenberg was awarded an honorary doctorate from USC. She also received the Kennedy Center’s inaugural Award for the Human Spirit and the Gerald and Betty Ford People Helping People Award for her leadership in advancing American society. Her other acknowledgments include the Children’s Burn Foundation’s Giving New Hope Award and the Getty House Restoration Foundation’s City of Angels Award, recognizing individuals dedicated to improving Los Angeles and its residents.

She was a board member of the California Science Center, Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

In a rare nationwide interview with CBS This Morning in 2013, Annenberg expressed that she didn’t perceive her donations as simply supporting causes — she was cultivating community. “I’ve always recognized the financial privilege I possess,” she mentioned. “And simultaneously, I knew it wasn’t going to fulfill me. I can’t retain it unless I can share it. It must be mutual.”

Born in Philadelphia, Annenberg was raised deeply involved in civic life, attending football matches with her father and nurturing a tenacious sense of independence. After pursuing her studies at Columbia University, she married and nurtured four children before relocating to Los Angeles and joining TV Guide, a foundational element of her father’s communications empire. Subsequently, she became a prominent figure in global philanthropic networks.

Wallis Annenberg is survived by her four children — Lauren, Roger, Gregory, and Charles — five grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

“To the world, she was a vibrant force in philanthropy; to us, she was a mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, and a dynamic presence whose life and family remain committed to upholding public service,” her children and co-directors of the Annenberg Foundation, Lauren Bon, Gregory Weingarten, and Charles Weingarten, stated. “Her generosity and dedication will continue to uplift individuals for many generations to come.”