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Myra Kraft
Myra Kraft
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Myra Hiatt Kraft (née Myra Nathalie Hiatt; December 27, 1942 – July 20, 2011[2]) was an American philanthropist and the wife of New England Patriots and New England Revolution owner Robert Kraft.

Key Information

Early life and education

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Kraft was born in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1942, the daughter of Frances (Lavine) and Jacob Hiatt. Her father was a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant who had served as a circuit judge of the Court of Lithuania before immigrating in 1935.[3][4][5] His parents and three other members of his family were murdered during the Holocaust. He went on to become a well-known philanthropist and leader in the Jewish community.[4] Jacob served as president of the E.F. Dodge Paper Box Corp. in Leominster, Massachusetts and remained president when it merged with 12 other box and printing companies to become the Rand-Whitney Corp.[4] Rand-Whitney was bought by his son-in-law, Robert Kraft, in 1972.

In 1960, Kraft graduated from the private Bancroft School in Worcester,[6] and in 1964 she graduated from Brandeis University with a degree in History.[1]

Philanthropy

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Kraft was listed by Boston Magazine as one of the 20 Most Powerful Women in Boston,[7] She was president and director of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and trustee of the Robert K. and Myra H. Kraft Foundation. She served on the boards of directors of the American Repertory Theatre, the United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Northeastern University, the Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston, the Jewish Book Council,[8] and Brandeis University.[7]

2006 - Honorary Fellow of the Ruppin Academic Center

She and her husband donated millions of dollars to promote American football in Israel building the Kraft Stadium in Jerusalem[7] and founding the Israeli Football League. In addition, Kraft helped to support and fund the Israeli Women’s National Flag Football Team.[5]

Kraft and her husband started the "Passport to Israel" Program with the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Boston which provided financial assistance to Jewish parents to send their children to Israel while teenagers to help promote Jewish identity.[5] To encourage greater understanding between Christians and Jews, Kraft, her husband, and her father endowed two professorships in comparative religion at the College of the Holy Cross and Brandeis University: the Kraft-Hiatt Chair in Judaic Studies at Holy Cross and the Kraft-Hiatt Chair in Christian Studies at Brandeis University.[4]

The International Herald Tribune credited Kraft with "modeling a new form of engaged giving that is transforming the relationship between philanthropist and philanthropy,"[9] and the Boston Globe stated she was "forging a whole new form of engaged giving."[9]

The Krafts have donated more than $100 million to a wide range of charities mostly focusing on education, athletics, women’s issues, and Israel.[5]

New England Patriots

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Kraft was the president of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, the team's non-profit entity created by the Kraft family to support charitable and philanthropic agencies throughout the United States and Israel.[10]

Shortly after the 1996 NFL draft, Kraft learned that the Patriots' fifth-round choice, Christian Peter of Nebraska, had a lengthy history of violence against women. At her insistence, coupled by backlash from women's groups and Patriots fans against Peter's signing, the Patriots relinquished Peter's rights only a week after the draft.[11]

Personal life

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Kraft married Robert Kraft in June 1963 while she was a student at Brandeis.[12] They have four sons:

Death

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Kraft died from ovarian cancer on July 20, 2011, at age 68, in her Brookline, Massachusetts, home.[14] Public services were held at Temple Emanuel in Newton, Massachusetts.[3] In her memory, all Patriots players wore a patch on their uniforms bearing Kraft's initials (MHK) throughout the 2011 season.[15]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Myra Hiatt Kraft (December 27, 1942 – July 20, 2011) was an American philanthropist who, alongside her husband , directed substantial resources toward education, healthcare, human services, and Jewish community initiatives through family foundations and charitable organizations. Born in , to —a Lithuanian immigrant who built a —and Frances Hiatt, she graduated from and earned a from in 1964 before marrying in 1963, with whom she raised four sons. As president of the Charitable Foundation and a key figure in establishing the Robert and Myra Kraft Family Foundation, she oversaw contributions exceeding $100 million from the couple, emphasizing hands-on involvement that included tens of thousands of volunteer hours across Boston-area and international causes. Kraft's philanthropic efforts focused on empowering youth and advancing medical research, including her tenure as chairwoman of the Boys & Girls Clubs of , where she expanded programs for underserved children, and major gifts to institutions such as —where she served as a —and the Dana-Farber Cancer , culminating in a $20 million commitment shortly before her death. Her work extended to supporting and welfare in and the former , reflecting her family's heritage of , or charitable obligation, without seeking public acclaim. Kraft succumbed to at age 68, leaving a legacy honored through programs like the annual Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, which recognize volunteerism and have distributed millions to nonprofits since 2012.

Early Life and Education

Family Background and Upbringing

Myra Hiatt Kraft was born on December 27, 1942, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to Jacob Hiatt, a Lithuanian Jewish immigrant who arrived in the United States in 1935 to escape the rise of Nazism, and Frances Lavine Hiatt. Jacob Hiatt settled in Worcester, where he built a successful business in the paper products industry, amassing wealth that afforded his family an affluent upbringing. Raised in a observant Jewish household alongside her sister Janice, Myra was instilled with values of and from an early age, particularly influenced by her father's commitment to and his support for Jewish causes and institutions like , where he served as an early benefactor. The Hiatt family's Worcester roots emphasized and , shaping Myra's later life dedication to similar principles, though her upbringing was marked by the stability of a prosperous immigrant success story rather than overt displays of wealth.

Academic Achievements and Early Influences

Myra Hiatt Kraft was born on December 27, 1942, in , to , a Jewish immigrant who fled Europe in 1935 ahead of the Nazi rise, and Frances Lavine Hiatt. Her father's background as a former circuit judge in and his subsequent emphasis on and Jewish causes profoundly shaped her early worldview, instilling a commitment to that she later described as inherited directly from him. Raised in Worcester's Jewish community, Kraft attended the Bancroft School for her secondary education, graduating before enrolling at Brandeis University in the early 1960s. Her family's longstanding ties to Brandeis—stemming from her father's role as an early benefactor—influenced her choice of institution; she first visited the campus as a child in the 1950s alongside her father, fostering an early affinity for its mission as a nonsectarian research university founded by Jews. At age five, she demonstrated nascent philanthropic instincts by canvassing her neighborhood to raise funds for impoverished children in Europe and Palestine, reflecting the Hiatt household's emphasis on tzedakah (charitable giving) rooted in her parents' immigrant experiences and Jewish values. Kraft earned a degree from Brandeis in 1964, though specific details on her major or academic honors remain undocumented in primary accounts. Her time at Brandeis exposed her to intellectual environments that reinforced her family's influences, blending rigorous scholarship with ethical imperatives, which later informed her own giving priorities in and . While her undergraduate record did not feature publicly noted distinctions such as awards or publications, her sustained involvement with the university—eventually as a —underscored the enduring impact of this formative period.

Marriage and Family Life

Meeting and Marriage to

Myra Hiatt and met on February 2, 1962, at Ken's delicatessen in 's Back Bay neighborhood while both were undergraduates.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 37 </grok:render> Hiatt, aged 19, was studying at ; Kraft, aged 20 and a native of nearby Brookline, had returned to the area following his undergraduate studies at .<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 34 </grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 39 </grok:render> later recounted spotting Hiatt there during what was initially a double date for her with another couple, after which he approached her upon her departure.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 36 </grok:render> He further described their first date together, stating that Hiatt proposed marriage to him on the spot.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 31 </grok:render> The couple wed in June 1963, the same year Kraft graduated from Columbia and the year before Hiatt completed her at Brandeis.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 10 </grok:render><grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 39 </grok:render> Their honeymoon took place in , reflecting shared Jewish heritage—Hiatt descended from Lithuanian immigrants and Kraft from a Sabbath-observant family.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 39 </grok:render> The marriage, which produced four sons, endured for nearly 48 years until Hiatt's death in 2011.<grok:render type="render_inline_citation"> 19 </grok:render>

Raising Children and Family Values

Myra Hiatt Kraft and her husband raised their four sons—Jonathan (born March 4, 1964), , , and Daniel—in a close-knit family environment rooted in Jewish traditions and personal involvement. As a hands-on mother, she attended nearly every school event, sports game, and significant milestone in their lives, prioritizing direct engagement over delegation. This approach reflected her commitment to fostering strong familial bonds, which she viewed as foundational to character development. Kraft instilled core values of family unity, religious faith, and in her sons, drawing from her own upbringing in a household emphasizing Jewish principles such as tzedakah (charitable giving) and gratitude for opportunities in America. She and Robert integrated these lessons early, teaching the children the importance of giving back through family discussions and practices, which later shaped the sons' roles in the Kraft Group's philanthropic efforts—such as Jonathan's leadership as president. Her emphasis on aligned with traditional , encouraging the boys to view service to others as a moral obligation rather than optional benevolence. Practical expressions of these values included Kraft preparing traditional Jewish dishes like for family meals, reinforcing cultural continuity and nurturing roles amid her growing public commitments. This hands-on parenting contrasted with more distant elite family dynamics, prioritizing everyday rituals to transmit ethical priorities. later credited her as the "foundation" of their family's principled approach, which extended to business and community leadership. The sons' subsequent involvement in and the family enterprises demonstrates the enduring impact of her guidance.

Philanthropic Activities

Leadership in Family Foundations

Myra Kraft co-led the Robert K. and Myra H. Kraft Family Foundation alongside her husband Robert, managing its operations as the primary vehicle for their joint philanthropic endeavors, which emphasized , youth development, healthcare access, and Jewish community support. The foundation, rooted in family traditions of giving that dated back approximately 50 years from the Krafts' early marriage, directed over $100 million in contributions toward initiatives like endowing academic chairs at institutions including , , and , as well as constructing facilities to advance and . Under her leadership, the foundation established the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 1984, which evolved into a leading facility for platelet donation and research, significantly enhancing blood supply capabilities for cancer patients. In one of her final major acts before her death, Kraft oversaw a $20 million commitment in early 2011 to Partners HealthCare, creating the Kraft Family National Center for and in to train physicians serving underserved populations. These efforts reflected a strategic focus on causal interventions in and , prioritizing measurable outcomes such as expanded access to specialized care and academic resources over broad symbolic gestures. The foundation's broader portfolio under Kraft's influence included support for Jewish cultural programs, such as the Kraft Center at Columbia/Barnard Hillel and the Myra and Chair in Judaic Studies at the , fostering and youth engagement. Overall, her management extended the family's giving to exceed $400 million across global causes, with an emphasis on empowering children and families through targeted, evidence-based rather than undifferentiated aid.

Focus on Jewish Causes and Health Initiatives

Myra Kraft served as chairwoman of the Combined Jewish Philanthropies (CJP) of Greater Boston, leading efforts to support Jewish education, community welfare, and international initiatives. Her leadership extended to global Jewish philanthropy, where she advocated for resource allocation to strengthen Jewish identity and overseas programs. In collaboration with her husband Robert, she co-founded the Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to Israel Program through CJP, which provided financial assistance for Jewish teenagers from Boston-area families to participate in educational trips to Israel, fostering cultural connections and leadership development. Kraft's commitment to Jewish causes was rooted in her family's values of , emphasizing direct aid to vulnerable populations within the Jewish community, including programs and federation-wide campaigns that raised millions annually for local and international needs. The Robert and Myra Kraft Family Foundation, under her influence, directed grants toward Jewish organizations focused on and development, reflecting her hands-on approach to . In health initiatives, Kraft established the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in 1984, which became one of New England's largest blood collection facilities, supporting cancer patients through partnerships with local hospitals and collecting thousands of units annually. She collaborated with Dana-Farber researchers, including Dr. Kenneth Anderson, to advance treatments for and other blood cancers, funding critical resources for clinical trials and patient care. During her own diagnosis with in 2007, Kraft redirected New England Patriots Charitable Foundation efforts toward and early detection awareness, including public campaigns and grants exceeding $1 million for screening programs. Her health philanthropy emphasized accessible care, with the Krafts' $20 million donation in 2011 to Partners HealthCare—encompassing Dana-Farber—establishing a in Boston's neighborhood to serve underserved populations with preventive services. These initiatives underscored Kraft's focus on evidence-based interventions, prioritizing empirical outcomes in and equity over broader social narratives.

Contributions to Education and Community Programs

Myra Kraft, through the Robert K. and Myra H. Kraft Family Foundation, endowed academic chairs and funded the construction of buildings at several higher education institutions, including , , , the , , and the . She served on the Board of Trustees beginning in 1988, later becoming vice chair and chair of the Students and Enrollment Committee, where she advocated for initiatives supporting underrepresented students. The Kraft family's ongoing support sustained the Myra Kraft Achievers Program at Brandeis, originally established over 50 years ago to address educational inequities and empower students from diverse, often disadvantaged backgrounds through , , and community integration. In and development, Kraft became the first woman to chair the Boys & Girls Clubs of from 1995 to 2002, overseeing organizational growth that benefited tens of thousands of children via expanded programs in after-school , , and recreational activities. She co-chaired the club's Major Gifts Capital Campaign and established the Myra Kraft Giving Back Scholarship Fund to provide financial aid for club participants pursuing higher education. Her philanthropic efforts emphasized enhancing educational opportunities for children, aligning with the foundation's core focus on improving outcomes through targeted investments in learning and . For community programs, Kraft assumed the presidency of the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation in 1994, directing millions in grants to support families and youth across with services addressing basic needs, access, and extracurricular enrichment. In 1998, she founded the Community Quarterbacks Award—later renamed the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards—to honor exceptional volunteers and allocate grants to their affiliated nonprofits, resulting in over $4 million distributed and recognition of more than 525 individuals by the program's continuation. She also chaired the of Massachusetts Bay, bolstering organizations focused on youth welfare and community building. These initiatives reflected her commitment to fostering volunteerism and direct aid, often prioritizing underserved populations in educational and .

Involvement with Sports Franchises

Role as Spouse of Patriots Owner

Myra Kraft assumed a prominent yet understated role as the spouse of following his acquisition of the on January 21, 1994, for $172 million, providing personal stability and moral guidance amid the challenges of franchise ownership. While managed day-to-day operations and strategic decisions, Myra focused on fostering a positive team culture, often hosting players at the family home in , where she offered counsel on personal and family matters, earning her the nickname "Mama" from athletes like and other team members. As president and director of the Charitable Foundation—established shortly after the purchase—Kraft shaped its mission to support youth education, health, and community programs in , directing over $2 million annually in grants by the early 2000s to initiatives such as scholarships and anti-violence efforts. Her leadership integrated with team identity, exemplified by programs like the Patriots Foundation's partnerships with local hospitals and schools, which reinforced the franchise's community ties without direct involvement in on-field decisions. Robert Kraft has publicly described Myra as his primary advisor and emotional anchor during pivotal moments, including the 2007 Spygate scandal and multiple campaigns, crediting her influence for maintaining ethical standards and family-oriented values within the organization. She regularly attended home games at , which opened in 2002, and supported the team's relocation efforts from Foxborough, though her public profile remained secondary to her husband's. Her role exemplified a supportive partnership, blending private encouragement with public service to enhance the Patriots' reputation beyond athletics.

Oversight of Team Charitable Efforts

Myra Kraft served as a primary overseer of the Charitable Foundation, directing its community outreach initiatives to support youth development, education, and health programs across . In 1998, she established the Community Quarterbacks Award to honor exceptional volunteers and allocate grants to their affiliated nonprofits, emphasizing grassroots tied to the team's platform. Under her guidance, the foundation distributed funds to local charities, leveraging Patriots players and events for visibility, with annual grants often exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars to causes like children's hospitals and anti-violence efforts. As her diagnosis progressed in 2010, Kraft redirected foundation priorities toward cancer prevention and awareness, instructing staff to amplify messaging on early detection and screening during team games and public appearances. This shift integrated health advocacy into the team's charitable portfolio, partnering with organizations such as to fund research and community screenings. Her hands-on approach ensured that foundation activities aligned with family values of —Jewish charitable giving—while maintaining fiscal discipline, with expenditures vetted for measurable impact on underserved populations. The programs she championed, including the precursor to the modern Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards, have sustained long-term giving; by 2025, they had recognized over 525 volunteers and disbursed more than $4 million in grants. Kraft's oversight model prioritized volunteer empowerment over celebrity endorsements, fostering partnerships with entities like the and food banks to address root causes such as and isolation, distinct from more promotional sports efforts.

Illness, Death, and Legacy

Battle with Ovarian Cancer

Myra Hiatt Kraft was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in early 2010. Following the diagnosis, she underwent initial treatment, after which her condition temporarily improved. Despite her illness, Kraft maintained involvement in philanthropic efforts, including personally serving lunch at a community program in October 2010. Prior to the 2010 NFL season, amid her ongoing battle, she directed the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation to prioritize cancer-related initiatives. The cancer later relapsed, with a downturn occurring shortly after March 2011, leading to a prolonged struggle. She received care at institutions such as Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, where her passing was later mourned by staff and trustees. Family statements described her fight as courageous, emphasizing her resilience until her death on July 20, 2011, at age 68 in her Brookline, Massachusetts, home.

Death and Family Response

Myra Hiatt Kraft died on July 20, 2011, at her home in , at the age of 68, after battling . The organization, on behalf of the Kraft family, released a statement announcing her passing: "Myra passed away early this morning after a courageous battle with cancer. We are all heartbroken. The global philanthropic community and the community have suffered a great loss." A memorial service at Temple Emanuel in , drew over 1,000 attendees, where family members shared personal reflections on her life and their bond with her. Son described her as viewing "the world with empathetic eyes" and emphasized her profound partnership with , stating, "She was truly his partner, his confidant, and his best friend. And he hers." Joshua Kraft recounted the couple's devotion during her final months, noting how Robert frequently tended to her with affection, including rubbing her feet and resting his head in her lap while expressing love.

Enduring Philanthropic Impact

Following Myra Kraft's death in 2011, the Robert and Myra Kraft Family Foundation perpetuated her commitments to Jewish causes, , higher education, youth development, and arts and culture through ongoing grantmaking, distributing $9,575,522 in 2023 alone to organizations such as the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boys and Girls Clubs of . The foundation has supported initiatives reflecting her priorities, including endowed scholarships like the Myra and Bob Kraft Boston Boys and Girls Club Endowed Scholarship and substantial gifts such as $100 million in 2023 to combat . The Myra H. Kraft Giving Back Assistance Fund, established in 2011, addresses unmet daily needs like healthcare, education, and housing by awarding monthly grants via local organizations to individuals in financial hardship, surpassing $1 million in donations by 2021. Complementing this, the Myra Kraft Community MVP Awards—renamed in 2011 from the earlier Community Quarterback Awards program begun in 1998—annually honor exceptional volunteers, having recognized over 525 individuals and donated more than $4 million to nonprofits by 2025, with $275,000 awarded in that year alone to support 26 honorees' causes. In education and Jewish engagement, the Myra Kraft Achievers Program at , active since 1968, continues to aid resilient, leadership-oriented students facing challenges in attaining degrees, producing over 1,000 alumni who have advanced professionally. The Myra and Robert Kraft Passport to , launched in 1989, sustains her vision for strengthening by subsidizing post-10th-grade trips for nearly 2,000 teens through family-congregation savings plans matched by Combined Jewish Philanthropies, currently enrolling over 2,000 participants across 51 congregations. Additionally, the Myra Kraft Open Classroom at hosts ongoing semester-long public seminars on community-relevant themes, fostering dialogue in line with her emphasis on .

References

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