Dr. Seuss' Widow, Audrey Geisel, Passes Away at Age 97
Audrey Geisel, the widow of the world-renowned children’s book author Dr. Seuss, has passed away at age 97.
Geisel passed away peacefully in her home in La Jolla, California, Random House Children’s Books announced.
Theodor Geisel, otherwise known as Dr. Seuss, died in 1991.
Since his passing, Geisel made it her life’s mission to protect, preserve and expand her late husband’s literary empire.
Thanks to her careful handling of the Seuss estate, children for generations to come will read of “The Cat in the Hat,” “The Lorax,” and the classic Christmas story, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!”
“Audrey lived a life of extraordinary philanthropy and was the artistic and entrepreneurial force behind Dr. Seuss Enterprises.”
“Her creativity and devotion to her husband’s work are indelibly linked with his legacy,” the statement continued.
“We will miss her passion and spirit, but take solace in knowing that through her tireless devotion, every generation of children discovers their love for Things 1 and 2, The Grinch and The Lorax and will discover the endless possibilities of life’s journey through Oh The (P)laces (Y)ou’ll (G)o.”
Geisel was known for her extraordinary philanthropic efforts, including the support of the San Diego Zoo and UC San Diego.
Throughout the years, Geisel donated much of her husband’s memorabilia to the library at UC San Diego, which includes original drawings and manuscripts, college notebooks and letters.
Geisel’s most recent work was serving as executive producer for “The Grinch,” which was just released in theatres last month.
Geisel is survived by her two daughters, who submitted a beautifully-written obituary to the San Diego Union-Tribune:
“Ted’s marriage to Mom brought him a second wind,” the obituary reads, “24 years and 20 books, including ‘The Lorax,’ ‘You’re Only Old Once,’ and ‘Oh, The Places You’ll Go.'”
While publicly known as the gatekeeper of her late husband’s estate, privately, Geisel was known for her love of the more simple things:
“Sam, our beloved Yorkie; parades; early morning; popcorn; dancing cheek to cheek; and all holidays. She was an extraordinary whistler.
“She never looked back only forward and she had a great spirit for life,” her daughters wrote. “She sailed forth with that distinctive walk: head up, shoulders back, jaunty, as if she had just twirled her baton.”
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