Dolly Green
Dolly Green | |
|---|---|
| Born | Dorothy Wellborn Green September 19, 1906 |
| Died | September 4, 1990 (aged 83) |
| Occupation(s) | Heiress, benefactor, thoroughbred racehorse owner |
| Known for | Owner of thoroughbred racehorses; philanthropy in equine research |
| Notable work | Dolly Green Equine Research Laboratory; Dolly Green Scholars Award |
Dolly Green (September 19, 1906 – September 4, 1990) was a prominent American heiress, benefactor, and owner of thoroughbred racehorses.
Early life
Born Dorothy Wellborn Green, she was the daughter of Burton E. Green (1868–1965), an oil magnate and one of the founders of Beverly Hills, California, and Lillian Wellborn. Her maternal grandfather was Judge Olin Wellborn (1848–1921). In 1979, she received a portion of the $3.6 billion proceeds from the sale of her father’s Belridge Oil Company to Shell Oil Company. She completed her education at the Marlborough School and later participated on the board of trustees for the Burton E. Green Foundation.
Thoroughbreds and philanthropy
In 1980, Green made a significant investment by purchasing five yearlings for $2.2 million at the Keeneland auction in Lexington, Kentucky. Over time, her stable grew to include seventy-four thoroughbred horses. She established the Dolly Green Equine Research Laboratory at Hollywood Park Racetrack in Inglewood, California in 1984. Her horse Brave Raj secured victory in the $1 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies held at Santa Anita Park in 1986, subsequently earning the Eclipse Award as American Champion Two-Year-Old Filly. The Dolly Green Research Foundation, affiliated with the Southern California Equine Foundation, ranks as the second-largest private entity dedicated to equine health research. She cultivated professional relationships with industry figures like Leslie Combs II of Spendthrift Farm.
Additionally, Green founded the Dolly Green Scholars Award at UCLA’s Jules Stein Eye Institute. She was affiliated with the Los Angeles Junior League and contributed to the advisory board of the Los Angeles Orphanage Guild.
Personal life
Residing in Bel Air, Los Angeles, Green was counted among California’s wealthiest billionaires. She died on September 4, 1990, and her remains were laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery, Culver City in Culver City, California.