Wallis Annenberg, the Los Angeles philanthropist who provided generous financial support for a broad range of Southern California community projects that bear her name, has died at 86.
Annenberg died of lung cancer at her Los Angeles home, according to a statement posted to Instagram by Annenberg GenSpace, a research center she founded.
Annenberg provided sizeable donations to Southern California arts, education and animal welfare causes, including the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing that will provide a route for mountain lions and other animals across the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills.
Annenberg’s financial support also was crucial to Wallis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center in Exposition Park, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, the Wallis Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica and Wallis Annenberg GenSpace in Koreatown.
The heiress to the Walter Annenberg publishing empire served as chair, president and chief executive of the Annenberg Foundation. Her father started the philanthropic foundation in 1989 after the sale of TV Guide and other publications.
Annenberg worked for TV Guide and became the foundation’s vice president after her father died in 2002. After the death of her stepmother in 2009, Annenberg took over the foundation.
“To the public, she was a dynamic force in philanthropy, to us, she was a mother, grandmother, friend, mentor, and a force of nature whose life and family remain committed to honoring public service,” the Annenberg Foundation said in a statement. “Her generosity and commitment will be lifting people up for many generations to come.”
See renderings of the wildlife crossing over the 101 Freeway in Agoura Hills
She expanded the scope of causes championed by the foundation to include wildlife in the vast urban-wilderness lanscape of Los Angeles. The Naitonal Wildlife Federation said the foundation donated $26 million to its #SaveLACougars campaign, which included construction of the 101 Freeway wildlife bridge.
“Wallis Annenberg’s vision for wildlife conservation inspired millions of people across California and around the world. Her generosity and the work of the Annenberg Foundation is helping build the world’s largest wildlife crossing, reigniting interest in what she called ‘environmental rejuvenation,’ and showing how people and wildlife can thrive together,” said Collin O’Mara, president and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation. “The National Wildlife Federation, our more than seven million members and supporters, and the conservation community extend our deepest condolences to the Annenberg family.”
The crossing, the largest of its kind in the world, is expected to be complete in 2026.
In a post on Instagram, GenSpace said, “Our hearts are broken with the passing of our beloved founder, Wallis Annenberg. She leaves a rich and enduring legacy of generosity, compassion and impact that changed the world in so many ways.
“Her vision and commitment spanned many issues. Her determination that older Americans not experience social isolation drove her to open GenSpace in April 2022, which is nationally recognized as a cutting edge, research-based center for seniors.”
In a statement, Wallis Annenberg PetSpace, which opened in 2017 to support animal adoption and education about bonds between humans an animals, said Annenberg left “a rich and enduring legacy of generosity, compassion and impact that changed the LA Region, the nation and the world in so many ways.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom called Annenberg a visionary whose contributions to community efforts in California went beyond financial support.
“Wallis Annenberg was a visionary who believed not just in a better world, but in a kinder one,” Newsom said in a statement. “She worked on broader societal issues, including funding medical research, economic development, and environmental protection, but she deeply believed in supporting the American right to the pursuit of happiness. She was always determined to find new ways to help people achieve a better, more joyful quality of life, and above all else, to help people connect with each other.
“Wallis believed in community – in supporting innovators who could create and scale environments that helped all in it, whether that meant older people facing social isolation, kids in need of support, pets needing a home, or wild animals trying to cross a dangerous freeway. She always recognized that money could only go so far, and that it was people who would make all the difference.
“California is better for all that she did, and for her enormous heart and unbelievable generosity. Jen and I join all those mourning this remarkable woman, but know that her legacy is carried on by her family, the work she accomplished, and the people she empowered to create a better world.”
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said Annenberg’s contributions transformed the city in lasting ways.
“This is a loss that resonates beyond words here in Los Angeles,” Bass said. “Wallis Annenberg’s selfless leadership and visionary spirit transformed our city in profound and lasting ways. There are unhoused Angelenos sleeping inside because of her. There are young people throughout the city expanding their horizons and exposure to the arts and sciences in new and exciting ways because of her. There are institutions, museums as well as public spaces like beaches and parks that are enhanced and improved because of her.
“Put simply — Los Angeles is stronger because of her. Her legacy of generosity will live on forever through the many lives changed by her service. My thoughts are with the Annenberg family during this difficult time.”
