Dede Wilsey

Last updated
Dede Wilsey
Born
Diane Dow Buchanan

Washington, D.C., US
Education Connecticut College
Spouses
John Traina
​
​
(m. 1965;div. 1980)​
Alfred Wilsey
​
​
(m. 1981;died 2002)​
Children Trevor Traina
Todd Traina
Parent(s) Wiley T. Buchanan Jr.
Ruth Elizabeth Hale
Relatives Herbert Henry Dow (great-grandfather)

Diane Buchanan "Dede" Wilsey is a San Francisco socialite, Republican Party donor, and philanthropist. [1] She is the widow and heir of the San Francisco dairy and real estate businessman Al Wilsey, and the Chair Emerita of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.

Contents

Early life and background

Wilsey was born Diane Dow Buchanan in 1944. [2] [3] Her father, Wiley T. Buchanan, Jr., was the U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg and Austria and the White House Chief of Protocol during the presidency of Dwight Eisenhower. [4] Her maternal great-grandfather, Herbert Henry Dow, was the founder of Dow Chemical. [5] [6]

Buchanan enjoyed a privileged childhood in which she summered at her family's estate, Beaulieu House in Newport, Rhode Island, or in the south of France, a member of a social circle that included royalty and heads of government. [2] When she made her debut, while a student at Connecticut College, Town & Country Magazine featured her on its cover. [5]

Personal life

In 1965, in a match opposed by her father, Buchanan married John Traina, a shipping and cruise magnate. They had two sons, Trevor and Todd Traina. [4] A year after parting from Traina in 1980, she married the dairy product mogul [7] and real estate developer [8] Al Wilsey, [9] [10] who had recently divorced his third wife, a friend of Buchanan's, the social columnist Patricia Montandon. [2] The couple soon became leading lights of the high society of San Francisco and Napa Valley, where they maintained a country house. Al Wilsey died in 2002 at the age of 82. [2]

Wilsey is featured prominently in her stepson Sean Wilsey's memoir Oh the Glory of it All , in which the author described her as his "evil stepmother", [6] and contended that she married Al Wilsey because of his $300 million fortune. [2] [11]

Philanthropy

Wilsey has been a prominent supporter of several institutions in San Francisco, including its Grace Cathedral and the San Francisco Opera. [2] But her most notable philanthropic affiliation has been with the city's Fine Art Museums, and Golden Gate Park's de Young in particular. [2] Seven years after being elected president of the Museums' board of trustees in 1998, Wilsey led a campaign which raised $208 million to repair the damage to the de Young that had been inflicted by the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, contributing $10 million of her own money to the cause. The sum elicited by her appeal was one of the largest ever given to an American museum. [2] [5]

After the Museums' long-serving director, John Buchanan, died in 2011, Wilsey assumed his executive responsibilities herself, but her management of the Museums' affairs was not universally applauded. [2] In March 2013, she was accused of creating turmoil. It was alleged that she had exploited her wealth and her power to fire many of the de Young's most experienced curators, to force it to mount an exhibition of photographs owned by one of her sons and to appropriate some of its staff to tend to her personal collection. [12] Her discharge of her duties attracted further controversy when she authorized a payment to a former employee of the Museums which their chief financial officer thought to be improper. The whistle-blower was dismissed, but she was subsequently awarded a $2 million settlement to compensate her for her firing and the payment which had triggered the scandal was refunded. [2] In July 2016, it was reported that Wilsey was relinquishing her position as the Museums' lifetime president. [13] In 2022, the Museums' official website described her as their Chair Emerita. [14]

The JFK Promenade controversy

San Francisco's JFK Promenade was introduced in 1967, when the city's authorities decided to bar cars from a portion of JFK Drive in Golden Gate Park on Sundays and some other days in order to make it available for recreation. [15] When the COVID-19 pandemic led to a greater need for recreational spaces, the city decided to ban traffic from the Promenade altogether. Wilsey and the Fine Arts Museums were opposed to the city's measure because it made access to the de Young less convenient, but a citywide consultation that revealed a supermajority in favor of the Promenade's pedestrianization led to a Board of Supervisors decision to keep the Promenade free from traffic permanently. In 2022, Wilsey and the Museums promoted a ballot that invited San Franciscans to reopen the Promenade to cars, but 61% of voters chose to preserve the status quo. [16] [17]

Wilsey also serves on the board of the Museum Concourse Community Partnership that owns and manages the 800-car underground garage which is the most convenient place for visitors to the de Young to park. According to both IRS filings and a 2019 Recreation & Parks study, the garage is usually mostly empty. Drivers' reluctance to use it has been attributed to high prices and poor administration. [18] [19]

Portrayal in fiction

Dede Halcyon, a character in Armistead Maupin's roman-fleuve Tales of the City , described by a reviewer of the 2019 miniseries based on the books as the "boozy art-patron friend" of the show's protagonist, is allegedly a "thinly-veiled portrayal" of Wilsey. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Danielle Steel</span> American romance novel writer (born 1947)

Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel is an American writer, best known for her romance novels. She is the bestselling living author and one of the best-selling fiction authors of all time, with over 800 million copies sold. As of 2021, she has written 190 books, including over 140 novels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diane Arbus</span> American photographer (1923–1971)

Diane Arbus was an American photographer. She photographed a wide range of subjects including strippers, carnival performers, nudists, people with dwarfism, children, mothers, couples, elderly people, and middle-class families. She photographed her subjects in familiar settings: their homes, on the street, in the workplace, in the park. "She is noted for expanding notions of acceptable subject matter and violates canons of the appropriate distance between photographer and subject. By befriending, not objectifying her subjects, she was able to capture in her work a rare psychological intensity." In his 2003 New York Times Magazine article, "Arbus Reconsidered", Arthur Lubow states, "She was fascinated by people who were visibly creating their own identities—cross-dressers, nudists, sideshow performers, tattooed men, the nouveaux riches, the movie-star fans—and by those who were trapped in a uniform that no longer provided any security or comfort." Michael Kimmelman writes in his review of the exhibition Diane Arbus Revelations, that her work "transformed the art of photography ". Arbus's imagery helped to normalize marginalized groups and highlight the importance of proper representation of all people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmond District, San Francisco</span> Neighborhood in San Francisco, California, United States

The Richmond District is a neighborhood in the northwest corner of San Francisco, California, developed initially in the late 19th century. It is sometimes confused with the city of Richmond, which is 20 miles (32 km) northeast of San Francisco.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Savannah (actress)</span> American pornographic actress (1970–1994)

Shannon Michelle Wilsey, better known by her stage name Savannah, was an American pornographic film actress who starred in over 100 videos during her career. One of the most prominent adult industry models of her time, she achieved notoriety within her short (1990–1994) career due to her onscreen presence and personal life. In January 2002, AVN ranked her at #19 on its list of the top 50 porn stars of all time.

<i>Tales of the City</i> Series of novels written by Armistead Maupin

Tales of the City is a series of nine novels written by American author Armistead Maupin from 1978 to 2014, depicting the life of a group of friends in San Francisco, many of whom are LGBT. The stories from Tales were originally serialized prior to their novelization, with the first four titles appearing as regular installments in the San Francisco Chronicle, while the fifth appeared in the San Francisco Examiner. The remaining titles were never serialized, but were instead originally written as novels.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Holton-Arms School</span> Private school in Maryland, United States

Holton-Arms is an independent college-preparatory school for girls in grades 3–12, located in Bethesda, Maryland. As of the 2021–22 school year, there were 667 students and 94 faculty. Since 2023, Penny B. Evins has been Head of School.

Nan Kempner was a New York City socialite, reputed for her fashion sense and her philanthropy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco</span> De Young Museum and the Legion of Honor; largest public arts institution in San Francisco

The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (FAMSF), comprising the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park, is the largest public arts institution in the city of San Francisco. FAMSF's combined attendance was 1,158,264 visitors in 2022, making it the fifth most attended art institution in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cathedral School for Boys</span> Private, boys, episcopal school in San Francisco, CA, United States

Cathedral School for Boys is a K-8 all-boys private Episcopal day school located next to Grace Cathedral on Nob Hill in San Francisco, California. Students are drawn from across San Francisco and the Bay Area.

Mark Cavagnero Associates is a San Francisco, California-based architecture firm, founded by Mark Cavagnero, FAIA in 1988. The Firm's portfolio is of various public-serving projects for public, non-profit and institutional clients.

Todd Traina is an American film producer and the founder of Red Rover Films in 2007. In 2007 Traina was named by Daily Variety as one of its "10 Producers to Watch." My Suicide, a quirky low-budget dark comedy released in 2009 which Traina produced, won a Crystal Bear at the 2009 Berlin Film Festival, among other prizes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Festival Napa Valley</span> Music, food, wine and lifestyle festival held in California

Festival Napa Valley is a music, food, wine and lifestyle festival held in Napa Valley, California. It is presented by Napa Valley Festival Association, a nonprofit corporation governed by a board of vintners and local leaders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doggie Diner</span> Fast food restaurant chain

Doggie Diner was a small fast food restaurant chain serving hot dogs and hamburgers in San Francisco and Oakland, California that operated from 1948 to 1986, owned by Al Ross.

Patricia "Pat" Montandon is an American author and self-made socialite.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nathan Ballard</span> American political strategist and attorney

Nathan Ballard is a U.S. Democratic strategist and attorney. He was the communications director for the governor of California, Gavin Newsom, when Newsom was the 42nd mayor of San Francisco. He is a longtime friend and advisor to Newsom. He sat on the board of directors of The Representation Project, Jennifer Siebel Newsom's nonprofit organization. Ballard had close ties with the 43rd mayor of San Francisco, Ed Lee. He was an advisor to Mark Farrell, the 44th mayor of San Francisco.

Mark Cavagnero, FAIA is an American architect and the founder of Mark Cavagnero Associates established in 1988.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trevor Traina</span> American entrepreneur and ambassador (born 1968)

Trevor D. Traina is an American businessman who served as the United States Ambassador to Austria from 2018 to 2021.

Wiley Thomas Buchanan, Jr. was an American diplomat and author who served as the Chief of Protocol of the United States and the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg and Austria.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ann Getty</span> American publisher and philanthropist (1941–2020)

Ann Getty was an American philanthropist, publisher, paleoanthropologist and socialite. As a fellow of the Leakey Foundation, she worked on archeological digs in Turkey and Ethiopia and was part of a team that excavated Ardipithecus fossils. She provided funding for the National Museum of Ethiopia and redesigned the museum's garden. Getty served as president of Grove Press, a publishing house that she and Lord Weidenfeld purchased in 1985, and founded the interior design firm Ann Getty and Associates in 1995.

Vanessa Getty is an American socialite and philanthropist.

References

  1. ↑ Matier, Phil (2019-08-28). "SF top Dem Campos wants Shanti to pull award to Dede Wilsey — cites GOP fundraiser". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2022-11-17.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Holson, Laura M. (24 September 2016). "Dede Wilsey Is the Defiant Socialite". The New York Times . Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  3. ↑ Zinko, Carolyne (2005-04-05). "Memoir by son of S.F. socialites should set tongues wagging -- and other writers say it's not just trash talk". San Francisco Chronicle . Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  4. 1 2 "Diane D. Buchanan To Be Wed Today". The New York Times . 1965-06-19. p. 15.
  5. 1 2 3 Hamlin, Jesse (2005-10-11). "PROFILE: Dede Wilsey / De Young built on one woman's charm, savvy / Undaunted by 2 failed bond measures, Dede Wilsey led $190 million campaign". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  6. 1 2 Wadler, Joyce (2005-05-15). "A Tale of Diamonds and Mud". The New York Times. p. 1. Retrieved 2010-05-02.
  7. ↑ "Wilsey, Bennett Company, a Corporation, Petitioner, v. Federal Maritime Commission and United States of America, Respondents, 315 F.2d 374 (9th Cir. 1963)". Justia Law. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  8. ↑ "Fraser v. Comm'r of Internal Revenue , 64 T.C. 41". CaseText Search + Citator. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  9. ↑ "Home on Stanyan: 1930-1939". St. Ignatius College Prep. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  10. ↑ Rubens, Lisa. "Gerson Bakar, "Real Estate Developer and Philanthropist"" (PDF). [PDF] Regional Oral History Office University of California. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  11. ↑ Wadler, Joyce (2005-05-17). "Society queen, evil stepmother or both?". The New York Times.
  12. ↑ Cohen, Patricia (2013-03-16). "Turmoil at Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco". The New York Times .
  13. ↑ Matier & Ross (July 24, 2016). "Dede Wilsey leaving top museums job amid strife over payout". sfchronicle.com.
  14. ↑ "FAMSF Board of Trustees" . Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  15. ↑ "JFK Promenade". San Francisco Recreation & Parks.
  16. ↑ "Voter Information Pamphlet & Sample Ballot, November 8, 2022 Consolidated General Election" (PDF). City and County of San Francisco Department of Elections. pp. 122–142. Retrieved 2022-10-10. The three largest contributors to the true source recipient committee: 1. Diane Wilsey, 2. Corp. of Fine Arts Museums, 3. Jason Moment.
  17. ↑ "Voters Ensure Stretch of JFK Drive in San Francisco Remains Closed to Cars". Bay City News. November 9, 2022. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  18. ↑ Max Harrison-Caldwell (Apr 15, 2021). "SF's Latest Bureaucratic Pileup Is Over Cars on Golden Gate Park's JFK Drive". The Frisc. Retrieved 2022-10-10.
  19. ↑ "Reform the Music Concourse Garage and Preserve Kid Safe JFK" . Retrieved 2022-10-10. The garage is underutilized: According to their own IRS filings and pricing history, on average the garage was 28% full in the 5 years prior to the pandemic. In its best year (2010) the garage had average utilization of 39%. On weekdays, according to a 2019 Rec & Park study, the garage is less than 50% full at peak hours.
  20. ↑ Glynn, Amy (2019-06-07). "Netflix's Tales of the City Is a Lovingly Composed Panoramic Photograph of San Francisco Queer Culture". pastemagazine.com. Retrieved 2022-09-18.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.