Abby Rockefeller Mauzé

Abby Rockefeller Mauzé was an American philanthropist and prominent member of the Rockefeller family. The eldest child of John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, she was a dedicated supporter of medical research, conservation, and the arts throughout her life. Her philanthropic work was largely conducted through the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and other family foundations, continuing the legacy of her famous grandfather, John D. Rockefeller.

Early life and family

Born in New York City, she was named for her mother and grew up at 10 West 54th Street and later the family estate, Kykuit, in Pocantico Hills, New York. She attended the Chapin School and Miss Spence's School, receiving a traditional education for young women of her social standing. Her siblings included John D. Rockefeller III, Nelson Rockefeller, Laurance Rockefeller, Winthrop Rockefeller, and David Rockefeller, all of whom would become major figures in American philanthropy, politics, and finance. The family's summer home was at the Eyrie in Seal Harbor on Mount Desert Island, fostering a lifelong connection to the Maine coast.

Philanthropy

Her philanthropic interests were wide-ranging, with a particular focus on medical science and public health. She served as a trustee of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund for decades, helping direct its support to initiatives in education, international relations, and the environment. She was a significant benefactor to the Rockefeller University, originally founded as the Rockefeller Institute for Medical Research by her grandfather. Other major beneficiaries of her support included the New York Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, and the American Museum of Natural History. Alongside her brother Laurance Rockefeller, she was a committed conservationist, supporting the Jackson Hole Preserve and efforts to protect the Grand Teton National Park and other natural areas.

Personal life

She was married three times, first to banker David Milton in 1925, with whom she had two children, Abby Rockefeller Milton and Marilyn Milton. After their divorce in 1943, she married attorney Irving H. Pardee in 1946; he died in 1952. In 1953, she married Jean Mauzé, a vice president of the Rockefeller Center, who died in 1974. She maintained residences in New York City and a country home in Westchester County. A noted art collector, she owned works by artists such as Pierre-Auguste Renoir and was a supporter of the Museum of Modern Art, which her mother helped found.

Legacy

Her legacy is carried on through the continued work of the Rockefeller Brothers Fund and the many institutions she supported. The Abby Rockefeller Mauzé Professorship at Rockefeller University endures as a testament to her commitment to biomedical research. Her philanthropic philosophy, emphasizing strategic giving in health, science, and conservation, influenced subsequent generations of the Rockefeller family. Her life exemplified the tradition of private wealth applied to public good, a hallmark of the family's impact on 20th-century American society.

Category:1903 births Category:1976 deaths Category:Rockefeller family Category:American philanthropists