Marian Sulzberger Heiskell

She was born Marian Effie Sulzberger on December 31, 1918 in Manhattan, New York to parents Arthur Hays Sulzberger and Iphigene Sulzberger (née Ochs).[1] She was the sister of Ruth Sulzberger Holmberg, Judith Sulzberger and Arthur Ochs "Punch" Sulzberger.

Her first marriage was to Orvil E. Dryfoos in 1941.[1][2] They had three children. She later married Andrew Heiskell, who was at the time the chairman of Time Inc., in 1965.[1]

Heiskell was known for her work in publishing, conservation and philanthropy. As a member of the Sulzberger family that controls The New York Times, she became a director of the Times in 1963, holding the position for 34 years.[1] Outside of the Times, she was also credited for having originated the concept for People Magazine.[3]

In the area of conservation, she founded the Council on the Environment of New York City, now known as Grow NYC, in 1970.[4] Heiskell was a chairwoman of the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy.[5]

From 1990 to 2012, she was the chairwoman of New 42nd Street, a non-profit organization dedicated to revitalizing New York's 42nd Street Theater District.[6]

She was a board member of The New York Botanical Garden, New Yorkers for Parks, Audubon New York, and the Community Service Society of New York.[7]

In 2004, Heiskell received the Thomas W. Keesee, Jr. Conservation Award, followed by the Rachel Carson Award in 2013, both given by the Audubon Society.[8] In 2005 she received the Land Conservation award from the Open Space Institute.[4] In 2018 she received the Federal Hall Medal for Leadership from the New York Harbor Parks Conservancy, an organization she had played a role in founding.[7]