About this item
A pioneering philanthropist and daughter of American royalty reveals what it was like to grow up in one of the world’s most famous families. The great-granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller, Eileen Rockefeller learned in childhood that while wealth and fame could open any door, they could not buy a feeling of personal worth. The privileges of having servants and lavish summer homes were offset by her parents’ thoughtful yet firm lessons in social obligation, at times by her mother’s dark depressions and mercurial moods, and the competition for attention among her siblings. In adulthood, Rockefeller has yearned to be seen not as an icon but as a woman and mother with a normal life, and like all of us, she had to learn to find her own way.
About the Author
Eileen Rockefeller is the youngest daughter of David and Peggy Rockefeller, and a great-granddaughter of John D. Rockefeller.
A pioneer in catalyzing broad acceptance of mind/body interactions and the importance of social and emotional skills for success in life, Eileen was a co-founder of CASEL (Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning) along with Daniel Goleman and 6 others in 1994. CASEL's purpose is to promote social and emotional learning (SEL) in schools across America from pre-K to 12th grade. It now has programs in every state as well as 17 countries around the world. Research has shown that kids with good SEL have an average of 11% better grades.
Eileen is also the co-chair of her family's generational association, and founding chair of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and the Growald Family Fund. She has two grown sons and lives on an organic farm in Vermont with her husband.
