Leonore Annenberg

Leonore Annenberg
22nd Chief of Protocol of the United States
In office
March 20, 1981 – January 6, 1982
PresidentRonald Reagan
Preceded byAbelardo L. Valdez
Succeeded bySelwa Roosevelt
Personal details
Born
Leonore Cohn

(1918-02-20)February 20, 1918
New York City, U.S.
DiedMarch 12, 2009(2009-03-12) (aged 91)
Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
Resting placeSunnylands
Spouse(s)Beldon Katleman (divorced)
Lewis Rosenstiel (divorced)
(m. 1951; died 2002)
Children2
RelativesJack Cohn (uncle)
Harry Cohn (uncle)
Residence(s)Rancho Mirage, California, U.S.
OccupationBusinesswoman, diplomat, philanthropist
WebsiteAnnenberg Foundation

Leonore Cohn Annenberg (February 20, 1918 – March 12, 2009), also known as Lee Annenberg, was an American businesswoman, diplomat, and philanthropist. She was noted for serving as Chief of Protocol of the United States from 1981 to 1982. Annenberg was married to Walter Annenberg, who was an Ambassador to the United Kingdom and newspaper publisher. She also served as the chairman and president of the Annenberg Foundation from 2002 until 2009.

Born in New York City and raised in Los Angeles, she graduated from Stanford University. After her first two marriages ended in divorce, she married noted businessman Walter Annenberg, who was appointed U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1969 under President Richard Nixon. In her role as the ambassador's wife, Leonore directed a major renovation of the ambassador's official residence. The Annenbergs contributed to Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign and upon his inauguration, Leonore was named Chief of Protocol, placing her in charge of advising the president, vice president, and Secretary of State on matters relating to diplomatic protocol.

The Annenbergs became major philanthropists, donating money to education facilities, charitable causes, and the arts. Leonore Annenberg served on many committees and boards as well. After her husband's death in 2002, she continued to donate money and succeeded him as chairman and president of the Annenberg Foundation.