Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin, a queen of Carnival who became a lawyer and philanthropist, died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday at her home in New Orleans. She was 93, her granddaughter Mary Beth Benjamin confirmed. Benjamin’s dedication, leadership, and generosity helped preserve the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra and left an enduring legacy in her community.
Early Life and Education
Benjamin’s public prominence began when she reigned as Rex’s consort in 1953, a milestone in her lifelong engagement with the city’s traditions. After graduating from Newcomb College in 1954, she enrolled in Tulane University Law School at a time when few women pursued legal careers.
She practiced law from 1956 to 1958 before retiring to raise her children and dedicate herself to community service.
Service was central to Benjamin’s life, inspired by her parents, William Bell Wisdom and Mary Freeman Wisdom, who emphasized civic responsibility. Her family’s wealth, derived from the Louisiana Coca-Cola Bottling Co., provided the means to support her philanthropic endeavors.
Philanthropy and Civic Leadership
Benjamin was deeply involved in social activism, serving on numerous boards, most notably the New Orleans Symphony. She joined the orchestra’s board in 1983 and later led it for five years during a financial crisis when musicians had not been paid.
Through her leadership and substantial personal contributions, she helped eliminate a $3 million debt, ensuring the survival of the orchestra, which became the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra in 1991. The orchestra continues to thrive, with an endowment for its music director and principal conductor bearing her name.
Musicians and colleagues remember her as dedicated and unwavering. Dr. Stephen Hales, a longtime board member, said, “There would not be a symphony orchestra in New Orleans without Adelaide Benjamin. Full stop.” Trumpeter Michael Bucalo praised her energy and personal sacrifice, noting she was always ready to support the orchestra financially and morally.
Personal Life and Legacy
Benjamin’s commitment to service was evident from her youth, including planting a Victory Garden with her mother during World War II. She graduated from the Louise S. McGehee School, attended Hollins College, and later returned to New Orleans for her debut year at Newcomb College. During this period, she reigned over Twelfth Night Revelers and became Rex’s queen for Mardi Gras.
She married fellow lawyer Edward Benjamin and retired from law to raise a family, keeping her children as the central focus of her life. Her lifelong dedication to volunteering extended to family foundations, the Louisiana Museum Foundation, the National WWII Museum, and the Louise S. McGehee School.
Benjamin was also an accomplished soprano, performing with the New Orleans Symphony Chorus, the Trinity Episcopal Church Choir, and Tulane’s Summer Lyric Theatre.
She graduated in 1982 from the University of the South’s Education for Ministry program and served as a mentor for six years. Loyola University awarded her an honorary doctorate and its Integritas Vitae Award in 1994, recognizing her exceptional contributions to New Orleans.
Family and Survivors
Benjamin is survived by two sons, Edward Wisdom “Ned” Benjamin of New Orleans and Stuart Minor Benjamin of Durham, North Carolina; two daughters, Mary Dabney Benjamin of Seattle and Ann Leith Benjamin Hill of Brooklyn, New York; ten grandchildren; and a great-granddaughter named in her honor.
Her family reflected on her understanding of legacy, noting that her name and influence would live on through her descendants. Her husband, Edward Benjamin, predeceased her in 2012.
Funeral Arrangements
Funeral arrangements are being handled by Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home and are currently incomplete.
