Joanne Herring facts for kids

Joanne King Herring (born July 3, 1929) is an American socialite, businesswoman, and political activist. She is also known as a philanthropist, diplomat, and former television talk show host.

She is famous for her influence on politics. This came through her long friendship and political connection with President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq (who was president from 1977 to 1988). Herring also worked as an honorary consul for Pakistan in Houston. She received the Jinnah Medal, one of Pakistan's highest honors.

In the 1980s, Herring worked to get the United States to support the Mujahideen in Afghanistan. She did this with U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson. These events inspired a book called Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History. In the 2007 movie Charlie Wilson's War, actress Julia Roberts plays Joanne King Herring.

Herring's second book, Diplomacy and Diamonds: My Wars from the Ballroom to the Battlefield, was released in 2011.

Early Life and Career

Joanne King Herring was born Joanne Johnson in Houston, Texas. Her parents were Maelan McGill and William Dunlap Johnson. She grew up in a wealthy neighborhood called River Oaks. One of her childhood friends was James A. Baker, III, who later became the U.S. Secretary of State.

She started studying at the University of Texas at Austin. However, she left after her second year to marry a real estate developer named Robert King.

Joanne was a well-known person in Houston's social scene. In the late 1950s, she started hosting her own daytime talk show. It was called The Joanne King Show and was on Houston's KHOU-TV station for 15 years. By 1974, her show had moved to KPRC.

Media Appearances

Herring has appeared in several media projects. She was in the 1999 documentary Five Wives, Three Secretaries and Me. She also appeared in the 1970s German TV news series V.I.P.-Schaukel. More recently, Herring has been on CNN with Ali Velshi. She discussed America's continued involvement in Afghanistan.

Helping Others: Marshall Plan Charities

In 2009, Joanne King Herring started an organization called Marshall Plan Charities. This group aims to help rebuild normal life in Afghan villages. It works alongside the U.S. military efforts in Afghanistan.

The charity brings together different non-governmental organizations (NGOs). These NGOs care about the people of Afghanistan. Their goal is to provide villages with important things. This includes clean water, food, healthcare, schools, and jobs.

Her Role with President Zia-ul-Haq

Joanne King Herring is well-known for her long connection with President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq. Their friendship began in the early 1970s. At that time, Zia was a brigadier-general leading Pakistani military groups in Jordan.

In 1980, President Zia held a special dinner in Islamabad to honor Robert and Joanne Herring. Herring became a trusted American advisor in President Zia's government. She was the one who introduced Charlie Wilson to President Zia. This meeting later helped secure a lot of money for Pakistan's efforts against communism.

Over time, Herring's influence on Zia and his military government grew. Zia valued her advice so much that he would even pause important meetings to take her calls. He also appointed her as his honorary consul in Houston. This was a special role that allowed her to represent Pakistan. In a public ceremony in Pakistan, Zia personally gave her Pakistan's highest civilian honor, the Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam. This award is also known as the Jinnah Medal. She wrote about her respect for Zia in her 2011 autobiography.

Husain Haqqani, a former Pakistani Ambassador to the United States, described Herring as someone "known more for glamour than for political wisdom." He noted that Zia "showered her with hospitality to use her connections."

Awards and Honors

Joanne King Herring has received many awards and honors throughout her life:

• She received the Freedom Foundation at Valley Forge Award in the 1960s.
• The King of Belgium made her a Knight in the 1970s.
• In the 1980s, she was made a roaming Ambassador of Pakistan. She also received the Tamgha-e-Quaid-e-Azam, Pakistan's highest honor.
• She received the International Women's Forum "Women Who Make a Difference" Award in 1987.
• In 2011, she was made a Dame in the Royal Order of Francis I.
• She was inducted into the Texas Women's Hall of Fame in 2014.

See also

In Spanish: Joanne Herring para niños

• Inter-Services Intelligence