Doris Duke
Heiress, art collector, philanthropist, Islamic art patron
Doris Duke (November 22, 1905 – October 28, 1993) was an American heiress, philanthropist, and arts patron who became one of the most prominent and wealthiest women of the 20th century. Born in New York City to tobacco magnate James Buchanan Duke, Doris inherited approximately $100 million (equivalent to nearly $2 billion today) at age 21, giving her unprecedented wealth and influence. Duke used her fortune to establish a life of extraordinary cultural patronage and global exploration. She became an accomplished art collector, assembling one of the finest private art collections in America, encompassing Old Masters, French decorative arts, and Asian antiquities. Her residences—including Shangri La in Hawaii, a testament to her passion for Islamic art—became repositories for her collections and destinations for cultural work. Duke was an accomplished dancer, jewelry designer, and producer, displaying artistic talents alongside her patronage. Her philanthropic activities were extensive and diverse, supporting the arts, medicine, and environmental conservation. In 1963, she established the Duke Endowment for Religion, and her foundation became one of the largest private foundations in America. Despite her prominence and generosity, Duke's personal life included complex relationships and legal controversies. Upon her death, her estate and foundation, now known as The Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art and The Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, continued her legacy of supporting the arts, environmental conservation, and medical research, making her one of philanthropy's most influential figures.
Doris Goodwin
Historian, Pulitzer Prize winner, presidential biographies
Doris Roberts
Everybody Loves Raymond, four Emmy Awards, character actress
Doris Day
Actress, singer, animal rights activist
Doris Lessing
The Golden Notebook, Nobel Prize in Literature, feminist author
Doris Humphrey
Modern dance pioneer, choreographer, Humphrey-Weidman Company founder
Business & Industry
American
1905
1993
Thinking about the name
Doris
Greek origin
“From the ancient Greek Dorians, a powerful warrior people, Doris became a name symbolizing strength and noble heritage in the classical world. This name was beloved in the mid-20th century, evoking grace and quiet confidence, and remains timeless in its simplicity.”