Robin Chandler Duke facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robin Chandler Duke
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| United States Ambassador to Norway | |
| In office September 12, 2000 – March 1, 2001 |
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| President | Bill Clinton George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | David Hermelin |
| Succeeded by | John D. Ong |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Grace Esther Tippett
October 13, 1923 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | February 6, 2016 (aged 92) Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Spouses |
Jeffrey Lynn
(m. 1946; div. 1958)Angier Biddle Duke
(m. 1962; |
| Children | 3 |
Robin Chandler Duke (born Grace Esther Tippett) was an important American woman who worked to help women and was also a diplomat. She was born on October 13, 1923, and passed away on February 6, 2016. From 2000 to 2001, she served as the United States Ambassador to Norway, representing the U.S. in that country.
Contents
Early Life and Beginnings
Robin Chandler Duke was born Grace Esther Tippett in Baltimore, Maryland. Her parents were Richard Edgar Tippett and Esther (Chandler) Tippett. After her parents separated, she started working as a model. She modeled for stores like Lord & Taylor to help support her mother and sister.
A Career in Media and Public Service
Robin began her career in journalism in 1944. She wrote for the women's section of the New York Journal-American newspaper. She used the name Robin Chandler for her articles.
Later, she worked at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, which was part of NBC. She became a news reader there. In 1952, she became an anchor and reporter with Dave Garroway. She reported on big national political meetings and the wedding of Jacqueline Bouvier to John F. Kennedy in 1953.
From 1953 to 1958, she worked as a broker at Orvis Brothers. After that, she became the vice-president for public relations at Pepsi-Cola until 1962.
Helping Women and Families
Robin Chandler Duke was very active in groups that focused on women's rights and helping families plan for their future. In 1997, she received the "Maggie" Award for her work.
She also helped start the United States-Japan Foundation. She was a trustee for the Institute of International Education. She served on the boards of other important organizations, including the David and Lucile Packard Foundation and the World Childhood Foundation. She was also involved with the Guggenheim Museum and Rockwell International.
Serving as Ambassador
From 2000 to 2001, Robin Chandler Duke was the United States Ambassador to Norway. President Bill Clinton chose her for this important role during his last year in office.
Before this, she was given the rank of ambassador in 1980. President Jimmy Carter asked her to lead the U.S. team to a big meeting. This was the 21st United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) conference in Belgrade, Serbia.
Family Life
In 1946, Robin married actor Jeffrey Lynn (1909–1995). They had two children together:
- Jeffrey Lynn
- Letitia Lynn
They later separated in 1958.
In 1962, she married Angier Biddle Duke (1915–1995). He was the son of Angier Buchanan Duke. Angier Biddle Duke was a very important person in the U.S. government. He was the chief of protocol for the U.S. Department of State under President John F. Kennedy. This job meant he was in charge of official ceremonies and dealing with foreign leaders.
After President Kennedy passed away, Angier Biddle Duke became President Lyndon B. Johnson's chief of staff. He also served as an ambassador to Denmark, Spain, and Morocco. Robin and Angier Biddle Duke had one son:
- Angier Biddle Duke, Jr. (born 1962). He married Idoline A. Scheerer in 1990.
Angier Biddle Duke passed away in 1995. Robin Chandler Duke passed away on February 6, 2016, at the age of 92. She was living in a retirement community in Charleston, South Carolina.
