Doris Duke, who was born on November 22, 1912 in New York City, was the only child of James Buchanan Duke, a founder of the American Tobacco Company and Duke Energy Company and a benefactor of Duke University in his native North Carolina. When J.B. Duke died in 1925, he divided his fortune between the Duke Endowment — a foundation he established to serve the people of the Carolinas — and his 12-year-old daughter.
Adventurous, intelligent and independent, Doris Duke was determined not to be defined by social expectations or her wealth. At the same time, she enjoyed the freedom her wealth provided to pursue her many interests, which included travel, the arts, historic preservation, environmental conservation, wildlife and horticulture.
Fascinated by different cultures, Doris Duke gathered countless treasures on her worldwide excursions and acquired remarkable collections of Islamic and Southeast Asian art. In addition to collecting art, she was a patron of the performing arts as well as a participant, actively exploring various art forms as a jazz pianist and composer, a student of modern dance, and a singer with a gospel choir in New Jersey.
Doris Duke also was a lifelong environmentalist with a keen interest in conservation and horticulture.
Although Doris Duke lived a private life, she contributed to a number of public causes. She was an active supporter of medical research and child welfare throughout her life. When she was just 21, she established a foundation called Independent Aid, which later became the Doris Duke Foundation. It is estimated that she gave away more than $400 million in current dollars during her lifetime, often as anonymous contributions.
Doris Duke died in October 1993 at the age of 80. In her will, she left the majority of her estate to the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.