Mary Wilkinson Streep was an American visual artist and the mother of Meryl Streep. Mary Wilkinson Streep’s daughter is an American actress who is often described as “the best actress of her generation”. She is particularly known for her versatility and accent adaptability. She is the recipient of numerous accolades including a record 21 Academy Award nominations, winning three, and a record 32 Golden Globe Award nominations, winning eight.
Mary Wilkinson Streep: Bio Summary
| Full Name | Mary Wilkinson Streep |
| famous as | Meryl Streep’s mother |
| Age | 86 years at the time of death |
| Date of Birth | July 30, 1915 |
| Place of Birth | Brooklyn, New York, United States |
| Date of death | September 29, 2001, New York, New York, United States |
| Zodiac sign | Leo |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Caucasian |
| Children | Meryl Streep, Dana Streep, Harry Streep III |
| Spouse | Harry William Streep, Jr. (m. ?–2001) |
| Parents | Harry Rockafellow Wilkinson, Mary Agnes Wolf |
Who was Meryl Streep’s mother?
Mary Wilkinson Streep was born on July 30, 1915, in Brooklyn, New York, United States of America. She was the daughter of Harry Rockafellow Wilkinson and Mary Agnes Wolf. She was the second daughter and fourth of six children of the couple. She was the sister of Harry Rockefeller Jr., David Preis Wilkinson, Jane Wilkinson, and Margaret May Wilkinson. She had English, German, and Irish ancestry. Per reports, her great-grandparents, Manus McFadden and Grace Strain, were natives of the Horn Head district of Dunfanaghy in Ireland.
Mary Wilkinson Streep was a fine artist and art editor
Growing up in Madison, New Jersey, she attended and graduated from Madison High School and went on to study fine art at the Art Students League in New York. Meryl Streep’s mother trained as a fine artist and became the art editor for Home Furnishings Magazine and also did commercial artwork on a freelance basis. She had an art studio in the back of her home.
Meryl Streep’s Parents
Mary Wilkinson Streep was married to pharmaceutical company executive Harry Wilbur Streep Jr. and had their famous daughter, Mary Louise “Meryl” Streep, and two sons, Dana Streep and Harry Wilbur Streep III who is married to actress Maeve Kinkead. Mary Wilkinson Streep raised her children as a Presbyterian. Mary also enrolled her daughter in voice lessons at the age of twelve after noticing her daughter’s talent and love for performing.
ALSO, READ; Harry Streep III: Who is Meryl Streep’s brother?
The Devil Wears Prada actress has often stated in interviews that her mother has been the inspiration for some of the characters she has played on the screen. Meryl Streep’s mother strongly encouraged her and instilled confidence in her from a very young age.
ALSO, READ; Harry William Streep, Jr.: Who was Meryl Streep’s father?
The actress said in an interview- “She was a mentor because she said to me, ‘Meryl, you’re capable. You’re so great.’ She was saying, ‘You can do whatever you put your mind to. If you’re lazy, you’re not going to get it done. But if you put your mind to it, you can do anything.’ And I believed her.” Even in adulthood, she would consult her mother at times for advice.
While preparing for her part in the drama Kramer vs. Kramer, Streep spoke to her mother about her life as a wife with a career to help her do a good job.
ALSO, READ; Dana Streep: Inside the Life of Meryl Streep’s brother
What happened to Meryl Streep’s mother, how did she die?
Mary Wilkinson Streep passed away at Cornell Medical Center from complications of heart disease after a short illness on
29 September 2001. Meryl Streep’s mother was 86 years old at the time of her passing. Per her Find A grave profile, she was laid to rest at Somerset Hills Memorial Park in Basking Ridge, Somerset County, New Jersey, USA. Her husband died two years later on July 22, 2003, aged 93. They were residents of Mason’s Island, Connecticut.
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