Early Life
Edythe Lawson was born in 1936. She met her future husband, Eli Broad, in high school in Detroit, Michigan, and they married a year later in 1954.
Rise to Success
Edythe and Eli Broad were a team in business and philanthropy. Eli Broad founded two Fortune 500 companies: KB Home and SunAmerica. Edythe played a key role in their success, particularly through her keen eye for art and her passion for making a difference in the world. They moved their business to Los Angeles in 1963. Eli Broad acquired an insurance company in 1971 and transformed it into SunAmerica. The Broads sold SunAmerica in 1999 and transitioned to full-time philanthropy.
Key Business Strategies
While not directly involved in the day-to-day operations of the businesses, Edythe’s influence and support were critical to Eli Broad’s success. Her appreciation for art and her deep commitment to their philanthropic goals shaped their approach to giving. They adopted a venture philanthropy approach, treating grants as investments with the expectation of measurable impact.
Philanthropy
Edythe Broad, along with her late husband Eli, is renowned for her philanthropy. They established The Broad Foundations to advance entrepreneurship for the public good in education, science, and the arts. The Foundations have supported initiatives in K-12 public education, scientific and medical research, and contemporary art. They have also donated to numerous art institutions and museums, and committed to giving away a significant portion of their wealth through The Giving Pledge. In 2000, they gave an estimated $137 million to charity.
