Lila Acheson Wallace

Lila Wallace was a very kind woman. She helped many people in her life. She helped start a famous magazine. The magazine was called Reader's Digest. It was a very popular book to read. Lila also gave much money to help others. She used her money to support music. She helped a group of singers travel. She even won a special medal from the President. She lived a long and helpful life.

Lila Wallace was a famous magazine publisher. She also gave much money to help others. People call this work philanthropy. She was born in Canada in 1889. Her father was a minister.

In 1921, Lila married DeWitt Wallace. They started a magazine called Reader's Digest. They published the first issue in 1922. For a long time, it was the best-selling magazine in the United States.

Lila used her wealth to help many causes. She gave away about $60 million in her life. In 1963, she helped start a group called the Metropolitan Opera National Company. This group traveled to perform music. She supported them until 1967.

Lila won many honors for her work. President Richard Nixon gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1972. She also received the Golden Plate Award in 1966. Later, she was given the National Medal of Arts. She died in 1984 at age 94. A special award for writers was made in her memory.

Lila Bell Wallace was a famous American magazine publisher. She was also a philanthropist. A philanthropist is someone who gives money to help others. She helped many people through her work. She co-founded a very popular magazine. This magazine was called Reader's Digest.

Lila and her husband built a great business. They married in Pleasantville, New York, in 1921. They started Reader's Digest in 1922. For many years, it was the top magazine in the United States. This magazine was a huge success. It reached many readers across the country.

Lila grew up in several different places. She was born in Virden, Manitoba, Canada, in 1889. Her father was a Presbyterian minister. He moved the family to the United States when she was a child. She lived in Minnesota and Illinois. Later, she went to college in Oregon. She also studied at Ward–Belmont College in Tennessee.

Lila used her wealth to support the arts. She gave away about $60 million during her life. In 1963, she helped start the Metropolitan Opera National Company. This was a group that traveled to perform music. She supported them until the 1966–1967 season ended. She also helped many writers through special awards.

Many people honored Lila for her hard work. President Richard Nixon gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1972. She received the Golden Plate Award in 1966. In 1992, she was given the National Medal of Arts. This was a special honor given after she died. Lila died in 1984 at the age of 94.

Lila Bell Wallace was a prominent American magazine publisher and a dedicated philanthropist. A philanthropist is a person who gives large amounts of money to help others. She is most famous for co-founding the magazine Reader's Digest. This publication became a major part of American culture. For many years, it was the best-selling consumer magazine in the United States. Her work in publishing helped create significant wealth. She used this wealth to support many different causes and arts programs throughout her life.

Lila's early life involved moving between several different locations. She was born on December 25, 1889, in Virden, Manitoba, Canada. Her father was a Presbyterian minister. Because of his work, he moved the family to the United States when Lila was a child. She grew up in Marshall, Minnesota, and Lewistown, Illinois. These were places where her father served as a preacher. Her brother, Barclay Acheson, also became involved in the family's later work. He served as an editor for Reader's Digest and worked for the Near East Foundation.

Lila pursued a strong education before starting her career. She studied at Ward–Belmont College in Nashville, Tennessee. Later, she attended the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon. She graduated from that university in 1917. After her studies, she spent two years teaching at various schools. She also worked for the Young Women's Christian Association. These experiences helped prepare her for her future professional roles. In 1921, she married DeWitt Wallace in Pleasantville, New York.

The partnership between Lila and DeWitt Wallace changed the world of publishing. In 1922, they co-founded Reader's Digest. The magazine was a massive commercial success. It reached millions of people across the country. This success allowed Lila to engage in extensive philanthropic work. It is estimated that she contributed approximately $60 million to various causes during her lifetime. Her ability to manage both a business and her giving was quite remarkable.

One of Lila's most significant projects involved supporting classical music. In 1963, she helped establish the Metropolitan Opera National Company. This was a national touring company for the Metropolitan Opera. It allowed opera performances to reach many different people. Lila continued to provide support for this organization for several years. She remained a supporter until the Metropolitan Opera decided to disband the company. This happened at the conclusion of the 1966–1967 season.

Lila Wallace received many prestigious honors for her contributions to society. In 1966, she was given the Golden Plate Award by the American Academy of Achievement. On January 28, 1972, she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This medal was presented to her by President Richard Nixon. Even after her death, her influence continued to be recognized. In 1992, she was posthumously awarded the National Medal of Arts. This means the honor was given to her after she had passed away.

Her legacy lives on through various awards and foundations. From 1990 to 2000, the Lila Wallace Reader's Digest Writers Award was given in her memory. This award helped support the work of writers. Lila passed away from heart failure on May 8, 1984. She was 94 years old at the time of her death. She died in Mount Kisco, New York. Her life remains a notable example of how business success can be used to benefit the broader community through the arts and literature.