Mica Ertegun Explained

Mica Ertegun
Occupation:Interior Designer, Philanthropist
Known For:Founding MAC II
Birth Date:1926
Nationality:Romanian-American
Spouse:Ahmet Ertegun

Mica Ertegun was a Romanian-American interior designer and philanthropist, widely regarded for her influential work in design and significant contributions to the arts and education.

Early life

Born in Romania, Ertegun left her country after the Russian occupation, spending time in Switzerland and Paris before moving to Canada. She eventually settled in New York after marrying Ahmet Ertegun, the founder and chairman of Atlantic Records, in 1960.[1] [2] [3]

Career

In 1967, she co-founded MAC II with decorator and author Chessy Rayner (with the MAC initials representing "Mica And Chessy"), focusing on residential and commercial projects. Ertegun's design projects have been celebrated for their elegance and sophistication, including the iconic 1969 redesign of Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store's fifth floor.[4]

Philanthropy

Ertegun's philanthropic efforts were numerous, with significant donations to the University of Oxford, establishing the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities.[5] [6] Her contributions to cultural heritage include leading donations for the restoration of the Holy Edicule at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the creation of the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.[7] [8]

Awards and honors

For her contributions to philanthropy, education, and British-American cultural relations, Ertegun was awarded an honorary CBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017.[9] She was a 1993 inductee in the Interior Design magazine Hall of Fame along with her MAC II founder, Rayner.[3] [10] In 2023, she was added to the Architectural Digest AD100 Hall of Fame.[11]

Death

Mica Ertegun died, aged 97, at her home in Southampton, New York on December 2, 2023.[12]

Notes and References

  1. News: McFadden . Robert D. . 2023-12-02 . Mica Ertegun, 97, Glamorous Interior Designer and Philanthropist, Dies . 2024-02-06 . The New York Times . en-US . 0362-4331.
  2. Web site: Reginato . James . 2017-04-27 . Mica Ertegun, the Nonagenarian Style Legend Who Shows No Signs of Stopping . 2024-02-06 . Vanity Fair . en-US.
  3. Web site: Mica Ertegun: 1993 Hall of Fame Inductee . 2024-02-06 . Interior Design . en-US.
  4. Web site: Taylor . Elise . 2023-12-06 . “I Hate Clutter”: The Chic, Cultivated Interiors of Mica Ertegun, As Seen in Vogue . 2024-02-06 . Vogue . en-US.
  5. Web site: Ertegun Scholarships founder Mica Ertegun receives Honorary CBE . University of Oxford . 2024-02-06.
  6. Web site: February 29, 2012 . Ahmet Ertegun's widow donates $41M to Oxford for scholarships . CBC News.
  7. Web site: Oxford mourns the loss of Mrs Mica Ertegun, CBE . University of Oxford . 2024-02-06.
  8. Web site: Jazz at Lincoln Center’s New Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium 2015-12-23 Architectural Record . 2024-02-06 . www.architecturalrecord.com . en.
  9. Web site: Ertegun Scholarships founder Mica Ertegun receives Honorary CBE . Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities . 2024-02-06.
  10. Web site: Chessy Rayner: 1993 Hall of Fame Inductee . 2024-02-06 . Interior Design . en-US.
  11. Web site: Rubinstein . Dan . 2021-11-30 . Mica Ertegun: Meet the AD100 2023 Hall of Fame . 2024-02-06 . Architectural Digest . en-US.
  12. Web site: Mica Ertegun, 1926 to 2023 . Trinity College Oxford . 2024-02-06.

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