11. Phoebe Hearst: Mining Matron and Philanthropist
Phoebe Hearst, mother of the famed newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst, played a pivotal role in managing her late husband’s considerable mining fortune. As a visionary philanthropist, she directed much of that wealth toward advancing education and the arts across the United States. Her enduring influence is felt in universities, libraries, and museums to this day. Discover more about her remarkable legacy at Hearst Castle.
