For Walter Annenberg, charity has been a way of life

If it hadn't been for the generosity of Walter Annenberg, the world would be a little poorer and the Annenberg School probably wouldn't exist. Since the 1950s, Annenberg has been recognized as one of the country's leading philanthropists. The billionaire alumnus, who made his fortune in the publishing business, has given hundreds of millions of dollars over the years to colleges, foundations and other charitable organizations. The University has been a chief beneficiary of Annenberg's largesse. Two of his gifts are on campus – the Annenberg School, which was founded in 1959 with a $3 million gift, and the Annenberg Center, which was established with a separate $5.7 million gift. His most recent gift to the University was a $120 million cash donation to the Annenberg School this summer – the largest single gift to a college – which he gave as part of a larger $365 million donation to three colleges and his prep school. "We certainly are grateful to Walter and Mrs. Annenberg," said Virginia Clark, vice president for development and alumni relations. "He and his wife have been very generous to the school over the years." Annenberg, who attended the Wharton School for a year in 1927, made his fortune with Triangle Publications, which published TV Guide among other things. Outside the University's walls, Annenberg has been similarly generous. He established an Annenberg School for Communication at University of Southern California, which also received $120 million as part of this summer's donation. The Peddie School, the New Jersey prep school Annenberg attended, also benefitted from his latest wave of generosity, receiving $100 million. Harvard University received $25 million. And several years ago, Annenberg gave the United Negro College Fund $50 million. Annenberg's altruism has extended beyond university education. He donated a large sum of money to develop a child day care center at the Desert Hospital in Palm Springs, Fla., his other hometown. And his $150 million contribution to public television established "A University of the Air." Annenberg also played a prominent role in politics. His crowning achievement was serving as the U.S. Ambassador to Great Britain from 1968 to 1974. Having been a long-time supporter of Richard Nixon, Annenberg was offered the position after Nixon's presidential victory.