Anne Cox Chambers, Media Heiress, Dies At 100

ATLANTA, GA — Media mogul Anne Cox Chambers died Friday at the age of 100, The Associated Press reported. She was ranked as one of the richest people in America in 2016, with a net worth of nearly $17 billion.

Her nephew, James Cox Kennedy, announced her death to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, her company’s flagship newspaper.

“Aunt Anne was a wonderful, kind and elegant lady who cared deeply about her family, her company and her country,” said Kennedy, who served as Cox Enterprises chief executive officer from 1988 to 2008 and continues as chairman. “She took the responsibility of good fortune very seriously and gave back to the best of her ability to the many causes she cared about.”

Chambers was known for promoting Jimmy Carter’s political career, which later helped win her appointment as U.S. ambassador to Belgium in 1977. Chambers also worked as a director of Cox Enterprises Inc. She was also a supporter of charity, known to give back often.

Former President Jimmy Carter and wife Rosalynn released a statement on Chambers’ death:

“Rosalynn joins me in sharing our condolences to the extended family and friends of Anne Cox Chambers. Ambassador Chambers was an important part of our lives for over six decades. Her life serves as a path for fairness and equality for everyone and especially for women and girls. Atlanta, our state of Georgia, and the world has lost a wonderful woman, business leader and philanthropist. Rosalynn and I are grateful to have been among those whose lives were so richly touched by her.”

According to the AP, her father, James Middleton Cox, founded Cox Enterprises Inc. He was also a 1920 Democratic presidential candidate. The immediate family inherited the company when he died in 1957.

She owned a manor across from the governor’s mansion in Atlanta, along with other property nationally and internationally, reports the news company.

Although many of her friends were Republican, she remained a Democrat. She supported Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign by knocking on doors at the age of 89.

According to the Atlanta Business Chronicle, Cox Enterprises is now run by Chambers’ grandson, Alexander C. “Alex” Taylor, who is president and CEO. The company is owned by her children, Margaretta J. Taylor, Katharine J. Rayner and James C. Chambers, and the children of her late sister, Barbara Cox Anthony: Blair Parry-Okeden and James Cox Kennedy.