Deborah Szekely Explained

Deborah Szekely
Birth Name:Deborah Shainman
Birth Date:3 May 1922
Birth Place:New York City, U.S.
Occupation:Writer
Notable Works:Cooking with the Seasons at Rancho La Puerta
Children:2

Deborah Szekely (née Shainman, born May 3, 1922) is an American activist, philanthropist, and cookbook writer active in Southern California. She was named the "Godmother of Wellness" by the Huffington Post.[1] Szekely founded the New Americans Museum in Liberty Station.[2] She is a pescetarian and advocate of plant-based nutrition.[3] [4]

Biography

Szekely was the daughter of Jewish immigrants.[5] Her mother was a past vice-president of the New York Vegetarian Society. Szekely worked as an assistant to Edmond Bordeaux Szekely.[6] They were married in 1939.[7] [8] In 1940, the couple opened a camp in Tecate, Baja California, Mexico, which they named Rancho la Puerta, where they could explore and test their ideas.[9] The couple had two children, Alexander and Sarah Livia.

In 1958, Szekely opened the Golden Door, a smaller luxury spa property in San Diego and moved to Escondido, California in the 70's.[10] The spa attracted famous individuals such as Natalie Wood, Elizabeth Taylor, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Burt Lancaster, Oprah Winfrey and Barbra Streisand. In 1970, she and Edmund divorced and Szekely took over the operation of the Rancho la Puerta.

She founded (COMBO), Combined Arts and Education Council of San Diego County in 1978, which has raised over $25 million to support 21 cultural organizations. In 1978, COMBO raised over $6 million to rebuild the Old Globe Theatre.[11] Szekely was a U.S. Diplomat and the head of the Inter-American Foundation from 1984 to 1990.[12]

In 1982, she ran for the United States House of Representatives as a Republican for the newly created 43rd Congressional District. She finished a close fourth place in the primary, slightly behind former professional football player Bill McColl, Carlsbad Mayor Ron Packard, and wealthy businessman Johnnie Crean. Crean won the primary by a very narrow margin.[13]

In 2014, Szekely was inducted into the San Diego County Women's Hall of Fame by the Women's Museum of California, the Commission on the Status of Women, the Women's Center at UC San Diego, and the Department of Women's Studies at San Diego State University.[14]

Personal life

Szekely has been a pescetarian since her childhood and prefers whole foods.[15] [16] She supports tree planting.[17] . Szekely turned 100 on May 3, 2022.[18]

Selected publications

Notes and References

  1. News: Happy Birthday Deborah Szekely, Godmother Of The Wellness Movement. Brenoff. Ann. 3 May 2012. The Huffington Post. 12 July 2016.
  2. News: San Diego Welcomes 47 Youths as Citizens in Unique Ceremony. Jennewein. Chris. 1 April 2016. Times of San Diego. 12 July 2016.
  3. Web site: Onque, Renée. 2024. At 102 years old, I still help run my business: Here are my 3 daily practices for a happy and healthy life. CNBC. en-GB.
  4. Web site: Serohina, Kateryna. 2024. 102-year-old woman reveals three habits for healthy and happy life. RBC-Ukraine. en-GB.
  5. News: Philanthropist Szekely is a Perfect Fit. Blair. Tom. 28 February 2012. The San Diego Union-Tribune. 12 July 2016.
  6. News: Behind Rancho La Puerto's Success. Gonzalez. Blanca. 4 September 2010. The San Diego Union-Tribune. 12 July 2016.
  7. Cosmos, Man and Society by Edmond Székely, The CW Daniel Company Ltd., Ashingdon, Rochford, Essex, England first published 1936
  8. Web site: Biography of Edmund Bordeaux Szekely. Community of Peace. 2011-09-02 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110831152021/http://www.communityofpeace.net/Britxt/B03profes.htm . 2011-08-31 .
  9. News: Waiter, There's a Guinea Pig in My Soup. Szekely. Deborah. 10 February 2004. The New York Times. 12 July 2016.
  10. News: Californian Retreats: Golden Door, Escondido. 20 June 2016. The Huffington Post. 12 July 2016.
  11. Web site: Deborah Szekely. Women's International Center. 12 July 2016.
  12. News: Fusion Garden. Sterman. Nan. 18 January 2004. San Diego Union-Tribune. 12 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160817034111/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/uniontrib/20040718/news_mz1hs18szeke.html. 17 August 2016. dead.
  13. Web site: Our Campaigns - CA District 43 - R Primary Race - Jun 08, 1982 .
  14. News: Women Honored for Inspirational Contributions. Rocha. Michael James. 29 March 2014. The San Diego Union-Tribune. 12 July 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160817012658/http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2014/mar/29/tp-women-honored-for-inspirational-contributions/. 17 August 2016. dead.
  15. Web site: Larkworthy, Jane. 2019. Meet the 96-Year-Old Queen of Wellness. The Cut. en-GB. August 15, 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20240815220210/https://www.thecut.com/2019/03/deborah-szekely-is-the-96-year-old-queen-of-wellness.html.
  16. Web site: Patel, Vinay. 2024. 102-Year-Old Who Still Works At Resort She Co-Founded in 1940 Shares How She Stays Fit And Healthy. International Business Times. en-GB.
  17. https://www.afar.com/magazine/wellness-tips-from-100-year-old-legend-deborah-szekely "After Living, Traveling, and Learning Her Way to 100, Deborah Szekely Has Some Advice for You"
  18. Web site: Column: Deborah Szekely publishes a book on her 100th birthday. The San Diego Union-Tribune. 30 April 2022. 3 May 2022.

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