Felicia Warburg Sarnoff

Felicia Warburg Sarnoff was an American philanthropist and arts advocate, known for her dedicated leadership within major cultural institutions and her commitment to social justice causes. A member of the prominent Warburg family, she leveraged her heritage and personal passion to support the arts, education, and humanitarian efforts. Her work significantly impacted organizations like the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the International Rescue Committee, blending cultural patronage with active civic engagement.

Early life and family

Felicia Warburg was born in 1942 in New York City into the illustrious Warburg family, a dynasty renowned in finance, philanthropy, and the arts. Her father was banker and philanthropist Frederick M. Warburg, and her mother was Muriel Warburg. Her paternal grandparents were the eminent banker and philanthropist Felix M. Warburg and Frieda Schiff Warburg, daughter of Jacob Schiff of Kuhn, Loeb & Co.. She was the niece of philanthropist Edward Warburg, a co-founder of the New York City Ballet, and psychiatrist Bettina Warburg. She was educated at the Brearley School in Manhattan before graduating from Sarah Lawrence College, an education that fostered her lifelong interests in the humanities and social responsibility.

Career

While not pursuing a traditional corporate career, Felicia Warburg Sarnoff dedicated her professional life to institutional governance and cultural stewardship. She served for many years on the board of trustees of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she was a vital member of the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts committee. Her expertise and advocacy were instrumental in supporting the museum’s curatorial departments and special exhibitions. She also held a significant role on the board of the International Rescue Committee, a global humanitarian organization, applying the Warburg family tradition of service to contemporary refugee crises and international aid.

Philanthropy and advocacy

Her philanthropic vision extended across the arts, education, and social services. At the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she was a passionate advocate for acquisitions and educational programming. Beyond the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she supported a wide array of institutions including the Frick Collection, the New York Public Library, and the Pierpont Morgan Library. She served on the board of the Brearley School and was a committed supporter of Sarah Lawrence College. Her advocacy for human rights was deeply channeled through her long tenure with the International Rescue Committee, where she worked to advance the organization’s mission of aiding refugees and displaced persons worldwide.

Personal life

In 1964, she married Robert Sarnoff, the son of RCA and NBC chairman David Sarnoff and a prominent media executive in his own right. The couple had three children and were prominent figures in the social and cultural circles of New York City and Long Island. They maintained residences in Manhattan and Sands Point, New York. Following Robert Sarnoff's death in 1997, she continued her philanthropic work. Felicia Warburg Sarnoff died in 2021 in New York City.

Legacy

Felicia Warburg Sarnoff is remembered as a principled and effective philanthropist who embodied the ethos of the Warburg family through her sustained civic leadership. Her legacy endures in the enhanced collections and programs of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Frick Collection, as well as in the humanitarian work of the International Rescue Committee. She exemplified the model of a modern patron, seamlessly connecting the worlds of high culture with urgent social advocacy and leaving a lasting imprint on the institutions she served.

Category:American philanthropists Category:Warburg family Category:People from New York City Category:2021 deaths Category:1942 births