Ariana Rockefeller, granddaughter of late American business magnate and philanthropist David Rockefeller Sr., traveled this week to Athens for a multi-day business and culture trip during which she vowed to preserve her family’s philanthropic legacy in Greece.
Rockefeller met on Wednesday with Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni to discuss how her family can continue supporting Greek causes — ranging from business to cultural endeavors such as archaeological projects.
Her family’s connection to Greece goes back several generations to her great-grandfather John D. Rockefeller Jr., who adored Greek antiquities and had an affinity for ancient Athens, Pericles and the creation of the Acropolis.
In 1929, the Rockefeller Foundation funded the construction of Athens’ Museum of the Ancient Agora — while also providing scholarships to train archaeologists.
Ariana’s grandfather David Rockefeller Sr. maintained his family’s love for Greece and ancient Greek culture by visiting Mount Athos in 1938.
In 1949, the Rockefeller Foundation donated $150,000 to the American School of Classical Studies to support its excavations at Athens’ Ancient Agora.
During her meeting with Minister Mendoni, Ariana gifted her grandfather’s 2003 autobiography “Memoirs” along with a copy of the record of her family’s 1949 donation.
The entrepreneur and philanthropist shared an update about her visit via Instagram, where she posted a photo posing in front of the Greek parliament at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
A graduate of Columbia University with a degree in political science, Ariana serves on the board of the David Rockefeller Fund, the non-profit organization founded by her grandfather David. She has supported numerous New York artistic and cultural organizations including the Museum of Modern Art, Metropolitan Museum of Arts, Botanical Garden and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.
Ariana discussed her grandfather’s life, legacy and passion for the arts in a recent interview with CNBC.
Watch the interview
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1 comment
She’s the most beautiful woman, would love to get to know her.