Maria Manetti Shrem

Born in Florence, Italy, Maria Manetti Shrem relocated to San Francisco, California, in 1972, where she played a pivotal role in the internationalization of iconic fashion brands such as Gucci and Fendi.

Together with her husband, Jan Shrem, Maria has supported over 55 charitable programs across the U.S., Italy, France, Mexico, Africa, and the UK, contributing to more than 35 foundations. Their philanthropy spans education, music, art, and medicine, creating meaningful social impact worldwide.

In the U.S., the Manetti Shrems have supported institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York City, UC Davis, the San Francisco Opera, Festival Napa Valley, UC Berkeley-Cal Performances, KQED, Francisco Park, the San Francisco Symphony, SF Film, SF MoMA, ArtSmart, KDFC, and hospitals like UCSF and Sutter Health-CPMC.

In Europe, Maria has been a principal benefactor for organizations including the King’s Foundation, the Royal Drawing School, Palazzo Strozzi Foundation, Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Friends of the Louvre, Friends of Versailles, the Venetian Heritage, the Italian National Trust, Museo 900, and the Andrea Bocelli Foundation, with which she helped construct four new schools, including one at the Meyer Children’s Hospital.

Additionally, the Manetti Shrems are founders and lifetime members of the Cabo Jewish Center. Maria also funded a scholarship in Africa through the Global Sojourns Giving Circle, empowering the next generation of women leaders.

Maria and Jan co-founded the Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art at UC Davis, which opened in 2016, fulfilling a 60-year legacy in the arts. The museum’s collection features celebrated California artists such as Wayne Thiebaud, William T. Wiley, Robert Arneson, Roy De Forest, and Manuel Neri. Its architectural design has been recognized by ARTnews as “One of the World’s 25 Best Museum Buildings of the Past 100 Years.”

Maria has been honored as a cultural ambassador and philanthropist. In 2019, Italian President Sergio Mattarella awarded her the Grand Officer of the Order of the Star of Italy. In 2022, the Mayor of Florence presented her with the Keys of the City for her exemplary patronage, following in the spirit of the Medici legacy. The City and County of San Francisco also declared June 22 as “Manetti Shrem Day for Philanthropy.”

Maria’s accolades include the inaugural Angels of the Arts Award from Festival Napa Valley, The Spirit of the Opera Award from San Francisco Opera, and the lighting of San Francisco City Hall in the Italian flag colors during “Maria—50 Years in America,” a celebration of her legacy. She also received the 2023 UC Davis Medal, the highest honor from the University of California system, in recognition of her extraordinary contributions to the arts. In 2024, UC Berkeley recognized Maria and Jan as “Builders of Berkeley.”

In Spring 2024, Maria made history by endowing the College of Letters and Science at UC Davis with its largest gift ever, establishing eight endowments to protect the arts and humanities in perpetuity. Her visionary donation integrates arts, humanities, science, and technology, creating a Renaissance Zeitgeist through the establishment of a dedicated Art District, inaugurated in January 2025. In recognition of her global philanthropy, Maria received the 2024 Premio StellaRe from Fondazione Sandretto Re Rebaudengo in Torino, Italy.

Maria Manetti Shrem continues to lead with vision and generosity, shaping cultural landscapes and enriching lives across the globe.