Mica Ertegun

Mica Ertegun was a Romanian-American interior designer and philanthropist, widely regarded for her influential work in design and significant contributions to the arts and education.

Early life
Born in Romania, Ertegun left her country after the Russian occupation, spending time in Switzerland and Paris before moving to Canada. She eventually settled in New York after marrying Ahmet Ertegun, the founder and chairman of Atlantic Records, in 1960.

Career
In 1967, she co-founded MAC II with decorator and author Chessy Rayner (with the MAC initials representing "Mica And Chessy"), focusing on residential and commercial projects. Ertegun's design projects have been celebrated for their elegance and sophistication, including the iconic 1969 redesign of Saks Fifth Avenue's flagship store's fifth floor.

Philanthropy
Ertegun's philanthropic efforts were numerous, with significant donations to the University of Oxford, establishing the Ertegun Graduate Scholarship Programme in the Humanities. Her contributions to cultural heritage include leading donations for the restoration of the Holy Edicule at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and the creation of the Mica and Ahmet Ertegun Atrium at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York.

Awards and honors
For her contributions to philanthropy, education, and British-American cultural relations, Ertegun was awarded an honorary CBE by Queen Elizabeth II in 2017. She was a 1993 inductee in the Interior Design magazine Hall of Fame along with her MAC II founder, Rayner. In 2023, she was added to the Architectural Digest AD100 Hall of Fame.

Death
Mica Ertegun died, aged 97, at her home in Southampton, New York on December 2, 2023.