Nancy Maginnes Kissinger

August 20, 2026

Remembrance of Nancy Maginnes Kissinger

Nancy Maginnes Kissinger, wife of the late Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger for nearly 50 years, passed away peacefully at her home in South Kent, Connecticut. She was 92 years old.

Mrs. Kissinger was born in White Plains, New York on April 13, 1934, daughter of Agnes McKinley Maginnes and Albert Bristol Maginnes, partner at the law firm Kelley, Drye, Maginnes & Warren (now Kelley, Drye & Warren) for more than 30 years, specializing in wills, trusts, and estates. A graduate of The Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, New York and Mount Holyoke College, Mrs. Kissinger earned a Master’s Degree in history from the University of California at Berkeley and completed course requirements for a Ph.D.

Following her studies, Mrs. Kissinger worked for several years as a research assistant for foreign affairs to the late Governor and Vice President Nelson Rockefeller, through whom she met her future husband, and later served as Director of International Studies for the Commission on Critical Choices for Americans, established by Governor Rockefeller.

Dr. and Mrs. Kissinger were married in Arlington, Virginia on March 30, 1974, a few months after President Nixon appointed him Secretary of State. Governor Rockefeller announced their nuptials to the press while delivering a speech in Chicago: “I have some news for you — Kissinger is marrying Nancy Maginnes today.” In the dedication of his 2022 book Leadership, Dr. Kissinger called his wife, “The inspiration of my life.”

Throughout her marriage, Mrs. Kissinger was active with numerous organizations, among them as a long-time Trustee of The Rockefeller University and Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, as a member of Christie’s American Advisory Board, and as a director of the Queen Sofia Spanish Institute. She also served for many years as an Honorary Trustee of her alma mater, The Masters School.

Mrs. Kissinger was predeceased by her husband Henry, her brothers Bristol and David Maginnes, David’s wife Fairlie, and their son David Tyler Maginnes. She is survived by her stepchildren Elizabeth Vandermark (Henry) and David Kissinger (Alexandra Rockwell), as well as five step-grandchildren.

Mrs. Kissinger is also survived by her sister-in-law Diana Maginnes, her niece Elizabeth, and her nephews Albert (Jamie), Philip (Jennifer), and John (Katelyn), as well as four grandnieces and two grandnephews.

Mrs. Kissinger will be interred at a private family service. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering donations to The Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, Development Office, 510 East 62nd Street, New York, NY 10065.