Audrey Geisel was an American literary agent and philanthropist. She was best known for being the widow of Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) and for her philanthropic work with his estate.
Audrey was born Audrey Dimond in La Jolla, California in 1924. She attended Stanford University, where she met Theodor in 1949. They married in June of that year and had one child, a daughter, Lark.
Audrey was a successful literary agent, representing her husband’s books and many others. She was the president of Dr. Seuss Enterprises, which managed the licensing of her late husband’s works. She also served as the Executive Producer of the films “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “The Cat in the Hat.”
Audrey was a philanthropist, donating millions to support educational, cultural, and environmental causes. She was an advocate for literacy and education, especially for children. She was a strong supporter of the University of California, San Diego, where she funded the construction of the Audrey Geisel University House.
In 2005, Audrey donated $10 million to the San Diego Library Foundation, the largest gift the foundation had ever received. She also established the Audrey and Theodor Geisel Endowment for Children’s Literature, a program to promote the development of children’s literature.
Audrey was a strong supporter of the San Diego Zoo, where she opened the Audrey Geisel Library in 2012. The library was designed to be the world’s largest collection of children’s books and media.
Audrey passed away in 2018 at the age of 93. She left behind a legacy of philanthropy and advocating for literacy and education. Her work continues to be celebrated in the entertainment industry and for the many lives she touched.
