Karen Anne Spencer, Countess Spencer (formerly Gordon, née Villeneuve; born June 6, 1972) is a Canadian social entrepreneur with a focus on systems change. Her career began as the founder of Whole Child International, a U.S.-based non-governmental organization that works to improve the quality of care for vulnerable children. From its founding in 2004 she held the position of CEO, and is scheduled to transition to Chair in June 2024. She is the wife of Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, the younger brother of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The Countess Spencer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Karen Anne Villeneuve June 6, 1972 |
| Occupation | Social entrepreneur |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 3 |
Life and career
editKaren Anne Villeneuve was born in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, but her father's career as a National Parks administrator led to frequent relocations, resulting in her family residing in 23 homes and her attending 10 schools during her childhood. Spencer attributes this upbringing as the catalyst for her to establish Whole Child International, which supports children without stable homes.[1]
Spencer claims to have been inspired to address the emotional needs of society's most vulnerable children in 2004, after participating in a parenting class that introduced her to the attachment-based child-rearing approach of Emmi Pikler.[1]
Karen Spencer is co-author of articles published in the peer-reviewed Infant Journal of Mental Health and Perspectives in Infant Mental Health. In 2016 she was made a Fellow at the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom [citation needed]. In 2017, she received the Pikler/Lóczy USA Founders Award,[2] and People magazine named her one of "25 Women Changing the World."[3]
Marriages and children
editKaren Spencer married Mark Gordon, a Hollywood producer whose films and TV series include Saving Private Ryan, Speed, Grey's Anatomy, and Criminal Minds, on November 8, 1997. The two met when Spencer worked as a receptionist at the Four Seasons hotel in Toronto.[4] The couple divorced in 2003[1] and together they have two daughters, Emma (b. 1998) and Kate (b. 2001).[5] Spencer subsequently dated billionaire George Soros.[4]
Following her divorce from Gordon, the accounting firm Gursey Schneider, which was hired to deal with Spencer's divorce finances, won a court judgment against her for an unpaid bill of $136,000. For several years afterwards, she reportedly failed to pay taxes to the state of California of more than $29,000.[4]
On June 25, 2011, Spencer married Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer at Althorp.[5] The Earl Spencer is the brother of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and is an author and broadcaster. As a result of her marriage, Karen Spencer is formally styled The Right Honourable The Countess Spencer, and is addressed as Lady Spencer. The Earl and Countess Spencer have one child together: Lady Charlotte Diana Spencer, born July 30, 2012 at Althorp and named in honour of her late aunt, Diana, Princess of Wales.[6]
In June 2024, it was announced that the Earl and Countess had separated and plan to divorce.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b c Kerry A. Dolan (February 12, 2007). "Adopting a Crusade". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 7, 2007. Retrieved February 9, 2010.
- ^ "Where Pikler meets Neuroscience – Pikler® Conference, October 28, 2017". Pikler. July 18, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ "Meet the 25 Women Changing the World in 2017". People. November 2, 2017. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c LaPorte, Nicole (March 12, 2011). "Hush-Hush Royal Engagement for Charles Spencer, Princess Diana's Brother". The Daily Beast. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b "Diana's Brother Ties The Knot For Third Time". Sky News. July 21, 2012. Archived from the original on July 21, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2018.
- ^ "Earl Spencer names baby daughter after Diana, Princess of Wales". The Telegraph. May 5, 2013. Archived from the original on May 5, 2013. Retrieved June 19, 2018.
- ^ Hill, Erin; Tauber, Michelle; Rice, Nicholas (June 8, 2024). "Charles Spencer and Wife Karen Divorcing After 13 Years of Marriage: 'It Is Immensely Sad'". People. Retrieved June 9, 2024.
External links
edit- Karen Spencer on Instagram
- Our Team - website of Whole Child International