Theresa Sackler

Theresa Sackler is a member of the Sackler family, known for their ownership of Purdue Pharma, a company that developed OxyContin. She is the daughter of Mortimer Sackler and Gertraud Wimmer, and the sister of Ilene Sackler Lefcourt and Kathe Sackler. Theresa Sackler has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, including supporting the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the American Museum of Natural History. Her family's company, Purdue Pharma, has been at the center of the Opioid epidemic in the United States, with OxyContin being a highly addictive pain medication.

● Early Life and Education

Theresa Sackler was born in London, England, to Mortimer Sackler and Gertraud Wimmer. Her father, Mortimer Sackler, was a psychiatrist and pharmaceutical executive who, along with his brothers Arthur Sackler and Raymond Sackler, founded Purdue Pharma. Theresa Sackler's family has a long history of involvement in the pharmaceutical industry, with her uncles Arthur Sackler and Raymond Sackler being key figures in the development of Valium and other psychotropic medications. She attended St. Paul's Girls' School in London and later studied at the University of London, where she earned a degree in English literature from University College London. Her education also included time at the Courtauld Institute of Art, where she developed an interest in art history and museum studies, similar to her contemporaries, including Diana, Princess of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

● Career

Theresa Sackler has been involved in various business and philanthropic ventures throughout her career, including serving on the board of Purdue Pharma and supporting the work of the Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology at Columbia University. Her family's company, Purdue Pharma, has been a major player in the pharmaceutical industry, with products like OxyContin and MS Contin. However, the company has faced criticism and controversy over its marketing and sales practices, particularly with regards to OxyContin, which has been linked to the Opioid epidemic in the United States. Theresa Sackler has also been involved in the art world, serving on the board of the Metropolitan Museum of Art and supporting the work of the Tate Modern and the National Gallery in London. Her interests in art and culture are shared by other prominent figures, including Elton John and David Bowie, who have also supported the work of the Tate Modern and other art institutions.

● Philanthropy

Theresa Sackler has been a prominent philanthropist, supporting a range of causes and institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the American Museum of Natural History, and the Sackler Institute for Developmental Psychobiology at Columbia University. Her philanthropic efforts have focused on education, healthcare, and the arts, with a particular emphasis on supporting women's health and children's education initiatives. She has also supported the work of the World Health Organization and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which have worked to address global health issues, including the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the Ebola outbreak. Theresa Sackler's philanthropic efforts have been recognized by various organizations, including the National Academy of Medicine and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, which have honored her contributions to public health and the arts.

● Personal Life

Theresa Sackler is married to J. Mortimer Sackler Jr., a member of the Sackler family and a former executive at Purdue Pharma. The couple has two children, Sophie Sackler and David Sackler, who have also been involved in the family business and philanthropic efforts. Theresa Sackler's personal life has been marked by controversy, particularly with regards to her family's involvement in the Opioid epidemic and the marketing and sales practices of Purdue Pharma. She has faced criticism from activists and lawmakers, including Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, who have called for greater accountability and transparency from the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma. Despite the controversy, Theresa Sackler remains a prominent figure in society, with connections to other influential individuals, including Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II.

● Controversies

Theresa Sackler and her family have faced intense scrutiny and controversy over their role in the Opioid epidemic and the marketing and sales practices of Purdue Pharma. The company has been accused of aggressively marketing OxyContin and downplaying its risks, contributing to the widespread addiction and overdose crisis in the United States. Theresa Sackler has denied any wrongdoing, but the controversy has led to calls for greater accountability and transparency from the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma. The Sackler family has faced lawsuits and investigations, including a lawsuit filed by the State of Massachusetts and an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission. The controversy has also led to a re-evaluation of the Sackler family's philanthropic efforts, with some institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Tate Modern, facing criticism for accepting donations from the family. Other prominent figures, including J.K. Rowling and Stephen King, have spoken out about the Opioid epidemic and the need for greater accountability from the pharmaceutical industry.