Marjorie Merriweather Post, 86, Dies; Business Heiress and Philanthropist

Marjorie Merriweather Post, heir to the General Foods fortune, passed away at 86. She was known for her large charitable gifts and business influence.
By Newsroom | Business, Philanthropy |

Marjorie Merriweather Post, heir to a significant fortune and a figure of considerable philanthropic activity, died last week at her Washington, D.C. estate. She was 86 years old. Her passing marks the end of an era, signifying the departure of a woman whose life intersected with substantial shifts in American business and social structures.

Post inherited a fortune estimated at $20 million from her father, Charles William Post, the founder of the Postum Cereal Company, which would evolve into the General Foods Corporation. This inheritance placed her in a position of significant influence and afforded her a lifestyle described as extravagant.

Beyond her considerable wealth, Post engaged in extensive charitable endeavors. Notably, during World War I, she funded the construction of a 2,000-bed field hospital. Her contributions extended to educational institutions, including endowments to C.W. Post College of Long Island University and her alma mater, Mount Vernon Junior College.

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Her personal life involved multiple marriages, including one to Edward B. Post. Her distinctive approach to life, characterized by both grandeur and a seemingly down-to-earth demeanor, including square dances and a penchant for expletives, has been documented in various accounts. She was recognized internationally for her contributions, receiving honors such as France's Legion of Honor and Belgium's Order of Leopold.

Her personal papers, alongside those of her father, are preserved at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, offering a repository for those interested in her extensive documentation. Artifacts and personal effects from her life are also maintained at Hillwood, her former estate.

Born on March 15, 1887, in Springfield, Illinois, Marjorie Merriweather Post's life spanned a period of dramatic economic and societal change. Her father, C.W. Post, was known for his own entrepreneurial spirit, developing remedies for ailments and founding the cereal company that laid the foundation for his daughter's vast inheritance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who was Marjorie Merriweather Post and why is she important?
Marjorie Merriweather Post was a wealthy businesswoman and philanthropist. She inherited the Postum Cereal Company, which became General Foods, and used her money to help others through many charities.
Q: How old was Marjorie Merriweather Post when she died?
Marjorie Merriweather Post was 86 years old when she passed away last week at her home in Washington, D.C.
Q: What was Marjorie Merriweather Post's connection to General Foods?
She inherited the Postum Cereal Company from her father, Charles William Post. This company later grew to become the well-known General Foods Corporation, and she was its heiress.
Q: What kind of charitable work did Marjorie Merriweather Post do?
Marjorie Merriweather Post was a big supporter of charities. She funded a large hospital during World War I and gave money to schools and colleges.
Q: Where can people find information about Marjorie Merriweather Post's life?
Her personal papers are kept at the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan. Items from her life are also at her former estate, Hillwood.