Nancy Kissinger, Philanthropist and Wife of Henry Kissinger, Dies at 92

Nancy Kissinger, a philanthropist and former foreign policy researcher who was married to the late Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, has died. She was 92.

She passed away on Thursday at her residence in Kent, Connecticut, according to Robert Johnson, the property manager. The cause of death was not disclosed. Johnson stated that she will be interred beside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date.

Born Nancy Sharon Maginnes, she was the daughter of a New York City lawyer. She first met Henry Kissinger while working for New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller in the mid-1960s. The couple married in a civil ceremony in Arlington, Virginia, in March 1974.

Known for her intellect and presence on the New York social scene, she was a familiar figure at high-fashion events and a driving force in philanthropic circles. A 1989 profile noted her ability to reach top executives directly, with philanthropist Judy Peabody remarking that "nobody keeps her waiting."

Michael Bloomberg, the former New York City mayor and a family friend, paid tribute in a social media post, calling her "a powerhouse of ideas and insights" and "the ultimate diplomat." He added that she was Henry Kissinger's "most valued and trusted advisor."

In 1982, she made headlines when she confronted a woman who was harassing the couple at Newark Airport. The incident occurred as they were traveling to Boston for Henry Kissinger's bypass surgery. A judge acquitted her of assault, describing her actions as "a spontaneous and somewhat human reaction to an offensive question."

After leaving Washington, the couple resided in Manhattan and Kent, Connecticut. Nancy Kissinger was educated at Mount Holyoke College and pursued graduate studies at the University of California, Berkeley, before joining Rockefeller's staff.