Miriam Hoover

Miriam Hoover was the third wife of H. Earl Hoover, founder of Hoover Company, and a philanthropist in the Chicago area. Before her death in 2018, she was a frequent supporter and major donor of several local LGBT groups as well as churches and other charities. 1

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At-A-Glance

Occupation: Donor
Issue Areas: Multi-Issue Advocacy, LGBT Policy
Nationality:

American

Born:

1913

Died:

2018

Spouse:

H. Earl Hoover

Contents

    Personal Life

    In 1951, Miriam Hoover married H. Earl Hoover, founder of the vacuum cleaner manufacturing firm Hoover Company, after working for him as his housekeeper for 16 years. They remained married for 34 years until H. Earl Hoover passed away in 1986. 2

    After H. Earl Hoover passed away, Miriam Hoover faced a lawsuit from Robert Hoover and five of the seven children of H. Earl Hoover over modifications made to his estate in the years leading up to his passing that resulted in them being disinherited. The plaintiffs alleged that “Mr. Hoover’s free will and agency had been overcome by a calculated series of lies, misrepresentations, and omissions concerning Robert’s character.” The courts found that such claims were unsubstantiated. 3

    When the lawsuits were initially filed, Miriam Hoover’s lawyers claimed the estate was worth around $40 million, at the time, but Robert Hoover’s lawyers claimed it was potentially worth $80 million. 2  Miriam Hoover passed away in 2018, and shortly after, her home was sold for $10 million. 4

    Philanthropy

    Miriam Hoover was notable for her philanthropic support of LGBT causes in the Chicago area. It is also reported that she was a supporter of social service programs, churches, “educational programs,” and charities. 5

    Hoover was listed as a trustee for Seabury Western Theological Seminary, Episcopal Charities, the Living Desert, Palm Springs Art Museum, and Bishop Anderson House. 5

    Hoover’s support for LGBT groups includes groups bringing awareness to HIV and groups advocating for representation of LGBT people in public policy decisions. Hoover was a supporter of Affinity Community Service, a Chicago-based LGBT advocacy group that specifically supports Black women. 5 6

    In 2005, it was announced that Hoover pledged $1 million to the Chicago-based Center on Halsted to fund the creation of a theater, which was named Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center in honor of Miriam Hoover and her nephew Michael Leppen, a fellow LGBT activist. At the time, it was the largest donation it had ever received. Center on Halsted is a community center in Chicago that provides social services to LGBT individuals, including a crisis hotline and an Antiviolence Project. 7 8

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    References

    1. Tracy Baim, Windy City Times. “Passages Miriam Hoover, Philanthropist, Dies – Windy City Times News.” Windy City Times, March 9, 2018. https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/PASSAGES-Miriam-Hoover-philanthropist-dies/62183.html.
    2. Schmich, Mary T. “A Family Feuds over Fortune.” Chicago Tribune, November 9, 1986. https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-11-09-8603240511-story.html.
    3. In re ESTATE OF H. Earl HOOVER (Robert C. Hoover et al., Appellees, v. Miriam U. Hoover et al., Appellants) (Justia June 17, 1993).
    4. Rodkin, Dennis. “Hoover Estate in Glencoe Sells for $10 Million.” Crain’s Chicago Business, January 2, 2019. https://www.chicagobusiness.com/residential-real-estate/hoover-estate-glencoe-sells-10-million.
    5. Baim, Tracy. “Miriam Hoover, Philanthropist, Dies.” Windy City Times, March 9, 2018. https://www.windycitytimes.com/lgbt/PASSAGES-Miriam-Hoover-philanthropist-dies/62183.html.
    6. “About.” Affinity. Accessed August 27, 2023. https://www.affinity95.org/about.
    7. “Miriam Hoover Pledges $1 Million to Name Hoover-Leppen Theatre at Center.” Center on Halstead. Accessed August 27, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/programs/COHnewsletter12012005.pdf.
    8. Center on halsted – chicago’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and Transgender Community Center. Accessed August 27, 2023. https://www.centeronhalsted.org/getinvolved.html.