Philanthropist Wallis Annenberg Dies at 86, Leaving a Legacy Across Southern California

Wallis Annenberg, one of Los Angeles’ most influential philanthropists and the driving force behind countless community projects in Southern California, has died at the age of 86. According to a statement from Annenberg GenSpace, she passed away from lung cancer at her Los Angeles home.

Annenberg’s generosity helped fund a wide range of initiatives throughout the region, with her name attached to several iconic projects. Among them is the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, currently under construction in Agoura Hills, designed to allow mountain lions and other wildlife to safely cross the 101 Freeway. She also supported the Wallis Annenberg Building at the California Science Center, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, the Wallis Annenberg Community Beach House in Santa Monica, and Annenberg GenSpace in Koreatown.

She was the heiress to the publishing empire built by her father, Walter Annenberg, who founded the Annenberg Foundation in 1989 after selling TV Guide and other publications. Wallis Annenberg worked for TV Guide earlier in her career and became the foundation’s vice president in 2002, following her father’s death. After the passing of her stepmother in 2009, she assumed leadership as chair, president, and chief executive of the foundation.

Her contributions to arts, education, and animal welfare have left a lasting impact on communities across Southern California.

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