Firyal Irshaid ( ar, فريال إرشيد, born 1945) is a Jordanian humanitarian and philanthropist. She became a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1992, working on programs for education and protection of world heritage. She is a board member at the

International Rescue Committee The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a global humanitarian aid, relief, and development nongovernmental organization. Founded in 1933 as the International Relief Association, at the request of Albert Einstein, and changing its name in 19 ...

(IRC),

New York Public Library The New York Public Library (NYPL) is a public library system in New York City. With nearly 53 million items and 92 locations, the New York Public Library is the second largest public library in the United States (behind the Library of Congress ...

, and a wide range of museums and universities, including the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Irshaid, is a graduate of Columbia University. From 1964 to 1978 she was married to Prince Muhammad bin Talal—younger brother of King Hussein of Jordan—by whom she has two sons, Prince Talal and Prince Ghazi.

Biography

Early life and education

Born in Jerusalem Firyal Irshaid is the daughter of the late Sayyid Farid Mahmoud Irshaid, a political leader who served as a minister in the government and a parliamentarian in the senate in Jordan. Her mother Farida was chairwoman of the Red Crescent Society in the West Bank. Irshaid attended Berzeit College. She studied for two years at the American College for Women in Beirut prior to her marriage; she resumed her studies and earned a bachelor's degree from Columbia University School of General Studies in 1999.

Career

Irshaid was appointed a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador in 1992. Three years later, in 1995, she was appointed Special Advisor to the Director General of UNESCO. She works primarily on programs for protection of world heritage and education. In Jordan, Irshaid became active in relief work in refugee camps. She worked for the literacy programs with the nomadic Bedouin tribes. She also established the family planning program. Irshaid launched the International Hope Foundation under the UNESCO umbrella in 1994 for the benefit of homeless and street children. Irshaid's philanthropic positions and credentials include: * Board of Directors of the United Nations Association in March, 2003. * Board of Trustees of the

based in New York. * International Council at Columbia University * Board of Trustees of the

* Trustee of the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris * International Council of the Tate Modern in London * Minister Plenipotentiary by the government of Jordan in May 2007 at the Jordanian Embassy as U.S. Ambassador * Museum of Modern Art Board of Chairman Council of MOMA. * Guggenheim Museum Member of the Middle Eastern Circle

Personal life

Irshaid was married to Prince Muhammad bin Talal, with whom she had sons Prince Talal bin Muhammad and Prince Ghazi bin Muhammad, between 1964 and 1978. After their marriage ended in divorce, she was a longtime companion to Lionel Pincus. After Pincus's death there were allegations by his sons, Henry and

Matt Pincus Matthew Storrs Pincus is an American music publisher and investor who founded Songs Music Publishing. He was a former bassist of the band Judge. Early life and education Pincus is the son of Lionel Pincus, co-founder and chairman of private eq ...

, claiming Firyal had taken advantage of Pincus's deteriorating mental and physical state by spending extravagant sums.

Honours

* : ** Grand Cordon of the Order of Independence ** Grand Cordon of the Order of the State Centennial (24 January 2022) * : Honorary Grand Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (24 April 1965)

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Irshaid, Firyal 1945 births Living people Birzeit University alumni Columbia University School of General Studies alumni Jordanian people of Palestinian descent Jordanian princesses Beirut College for Women alumni UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors Grand Cordons of the Order of Independence (Jordan) Princesses by marriage