The great benefactors of Orthodoxly Hellenism and Mary Jaharis with her late husband Michael Jaharis. Photo TNH Archive
As a longtime supporter and friend of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York City, Honorary Trustee Mary Jaharis never ceases to surprise with her donations and to actively mark the museum’s legacy.
With her recent major donation of $50 million, Mrs. Jaharis is ensuring that the unique experience visitors have at the museum will continue and that it will remain true for generations to come.
“Whether through her generous contributions or her infectious enthusiasm for art, Mrs. Jaharis has been a vital figure in reshaping the Museum into what our visitors experience today,” the Met notes.
“She has been instrumental in bringing to life gallery renovations, acquisitions, exhibitions and program related to Byzantine and medieval art, Greek and Roman art, American art, modern and contemporary,” the museum says.
“Even inspired by her devoted support of our work, the Met is excited to embark on the next chapter, aiming to create a space that will reflect the diverse cultures and ideologies that fuel modern and contemporary art landscape,” The Met added.
Mary Jaharis is a prominent philanthropist and art patron known for her significant contributions to various cultural institutions, particularly in the fields of Byzantine and Greek art and culture.
Mary Jaharis, along with her late husband Michael has been a major benefactor to numerous organizations and institutions. She serves as a Director of the Jaharis Family Foundation, Inc., founded in 1986. In this role, she leads the Foundation’s support of museums, cultural institutions, and universities.
One of her most notable contributions is to The Metropolitan Museum of Art. In 1999, Mary Jaharis was elected as an Honorary trustee of the museum, recognizing her extraordinary commitment to the institution. Recently, in November 2024, she made a remarkable $50 million gift to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This generous donation has supported gallery renovations, acquisitions, exhibitions, and programs related to Byzantine and medieval art.
Mary Jaharis’s passion for Byzantine art and culture is evident in her support for various initiatives:
The Mary Jaharis Center for Byzantine Art and Culture: Founded in 2010 through a gift from the Jaharis Family Foundation, this center is dedicated to promoting and advancing knowledge about the rich heritage of the Byzantine Empire. It is established at Hellenic College Holy Cross in Brookline, Massachusetts.
St. Catherine’s Foundation: She serves on the board of this foundation and is a member of the steering committee overseeing the restoration of the St. Catherine monastery in the Sinai Desert.
Philoptochos Society: For over 20 years, Mary Jaharis has been involved with this women’s philanthropic organization affiliated with the Greek Orthodox Church, working to improve the lives of economically disadvantaged families and children.
Mary Jaharis was born in Watertown, Wisconsin, but spent most of her childhood in Athens, Greece, where she developed a deep passion for the arts. She attended Northwestern University and later graduated from The Art Institute of Chicago. She also studied at the New York School of Interior Design.
Her personal experiences and education have influenced her philanthropic focus on art, culture, and education, particularly in Greek and Byzantine heritage areas.