Rhoda Haas Goldman

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Rhoda Haas Goldman (1924 – February 17, 1996) was an American billionaire in San Francisco, California.

Rhoda Haas Goldman
Born
Rhoda Haas

1924
San Francisco, California, US
DiedFebruary 17, 1996 (aged 72)
EducationUniversity of California, Berkeley
Known forRichard and Rhoda Goldman Fund
SpouseRichard Goldman
ChildrenJohn D. Goldman
Douglas E. Goldman
Susan R. Gelman
Richard Goldman (deceased)
Parent(s)Elise Stern
Walter A. Haas
Family David Stern (grandfather)
Daniel S. Goldman (grandson)
Simon Koshland (great-grandfather)

Biography

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Goldman was the only daughter born to Walter A. Haas and Elise Stern (heiress to the Levi Strauss fortune),[1] and granddaughter of David Stern. In 1996, she made $1.3 billion in accepting the leveraged buyout of the Levi Strauss company, which she opposed. She died of a heart attack during the execution of the transaction.[2][3][4]

She was a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and, in 1946, she married fellow Berkeley alumnus Richard Goldman.[5] In 1951, the couple founded the Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, a foundation that has donated over $680 million to various organizations.[1][6]

The Goldman School of Public Policy at Berkeley is named after the Goldmans.

She was president of the San Francisco Symphony, chairwoman of San Francisco's Memorial to the Six Million Victims of the Holocaust, director of the Mount Zion Health System, president of the Mount Zion Hospital and Medical Center,[5] and president of Congregation Emanu-El, the city's largest reform Jewish synagogue.[1]

She was a major supporter of environmental causes and San Francisco arts organizations and a co-founder with her husband of the Goldman Environment Prize in 1990.

Personal life

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She had four children with her husband: John D. Goldman, Douglas E. Goldman, Susan R. Gelman,[1] and Richard Goldman (deceased).[7] Her grandson, son of Richard, is attorney and New York Congressman Daniel S. Goldman.[8] Funeral services were held at Congregation Emanu-El in San Francisco.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Moore, Teresa (February 19, 1996). "Rhoda Haas Goldman, Philanthropist, Dies at 71". San Francisco Chronicle. Archived from the original on July 8, 2012.
  2. ^ Munk, Nina (12 April 1999). "How Levi's Trashed a Great American Brand While Bob Haas pioneered benevolent management, his company came apart at the seams. - April 12, 1999". Fortune. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Divided We Stand". Forbes. 11 October 1999. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  4. ^ Sterngold, James (21 February 1996). "Levi Strauss Stock Buyout Would Benefit Small Group". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b New York Times: "Rhoda H. Goldman, Civic Benefactor, 71" February 20, 1996
  6. ^ "Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund". Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  7. ^ Jewish Telegraph Agency: "Philanthropist Richard Goldman dies at 90" By Ami Eden November 30, 2010
  8. ^ "Daniel Goldman: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. November 2019.
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