Mary Lasker

Date of Birth: November 30, 1900

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: February 21, 1994

Biography

Mary Lasker was a renowned American health activist and philanthropist who played a pivotal role in the advancement of medical research and public health in the United States. Born Mary Woodard on November 30, 1900, in Watertown, Wisconsin, she grew up with a keen interest in public health and welfare. After attending Radcliffe College, she moved to New York City, where she eventually married advertising executive Albert Lasker in 1940. Together, Mary and Albert Lasker founded the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, which became instrumental in funding medical research and promoting public health initiatives. Mary Lasker was a relentless advocate for increased government funding for medical research, particularly in the areas of cancer, heart disease, and mental health. Her lobbying efforts were critical in the establishment of the National Institutes of Health as a major force in American medical research. Throughout her life, Mary Lasker received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to public health, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal. She passed away on February 21, 1994, but her legacy continues to impact the fields of medicine and public health to this day.

5 Interesting Facts about Mary Lasker

1. Mary Lasker was instrumental in the passage of the National Cancer Act of 1971, which significantly increased funding for cancer research.

2. She was a close friend and advisor to several U.S. Presidents, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Lyndon B. Johnson.

3. The Lasker Awards, often referred to as “America’s Nobels,” were established by Mary and Albert Lasker to honor outstanding achievements in medical research.

4. Mary Lasker was a key figure in the establishment of the National Library of Medicine.

5. She was posthumously inducted into the National Women’s Hall of Fame in 1996.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Mary Lasker

1. “If you think research is expensive, try disease.”

2. “Without money, medical research cannot be conducted.”

3. “I am opposed to heart attacks and cancer the way I am opposed to sin.”

4. “I am for research, and I am for medical research, because it will be the salvation of mankind.”

5. “We need more people speaking out. This country was founded on freedom of speech.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of her influence, Mary Lasker had a net worth estimated to be around $200 million, primarily through her marriage to Albert Lasker and their combined philanthropic activities.