The much-anticipated Peggy and David Rockefeller Auction at Christie’s starts today and is set to become one of the biggest estate sales in history. Even more remarkable is that all proceeds from their collection will be gifted to the charities the Rockefellers loved and supported, making their legacy truly inspirational.
At the time of his death in March 2017, David Rockefeller was estimated at $3.3 billion. Rockefeller and his wife had many philanthropic endeavors, with an estimated $900 million in donations given to education, arts, and environmental charities.
Acquired over their lifetimes, the Rockefeller’s expansive collection includes 2,000 pieces ranging from fine art, including Picasso and Monet, to jewelry and furniture. See five of our favorite pieces here.
Steven Zick, senior vice president and director for Christie’s Fine Art Auctioneers in Chicago, and a featured speaker at Make It Better’s recent Money, Values & Impact event, explains why the collection is so extraordinary:
The auction is estimated to bring in a record-breaking $1 billion, specifically endowing a select number of charities, including:
- Americas Society/Council of the Americas
- Council on Foreign Relations
- The David Rockefeller Fund
- Harvard University
- Museum of Modern Art
- Rockefeller Brothers Fund
- Rockefeller University
- American Farmland Trust
- Maine Coast Heritage Fund
- Stone Barns Center for Food & Agriculture
- Mount Desert Land and Garden Preserve
The Rockefeller auction is truly a powerful example of how wealth can be used to fund and grow a not-for-profit legacy. The auction runs May 8-10. To learn more, visit Christie’s.
