Marianna Vardinogiannis, a prominent philanthropist, a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador and wife of the president of Motor Oil and shipping magnate Vardis Vardinogiannis, died on Monday 24th July 2023.  Marianna was 80 years old.  Together they had five children, Giannis, Christiana, George, Nikos and Vardianna.  An activist for the rights and protection of children, Vardinogiannis was also the founder of the Foundation for the Child and the Family, and the President of the ELPIDA association of friends of children with cancer.  Born in Athens, Marianna grew up in Ermioni, the hometown of her mother, Evangelia.  Her father, Giorgos Bournakis, was raised in Sambatiki in Arcadia.  Marianna pursued her higher education at the University of Denver, Colorado, U.S.A., where she studied economics. 

Marianna had been taken to a private hospital in Athens before passing away.  The funeral service will be held amongst a small family circle.  Marianna's legacy is that of a compassionate and influential figure in both national and international philanthropy.  Her efforts have touched countless lives, and she will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to making the world a better place for children and families in need.  One of her notable roles was as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, a position she held from 1999.  In this capacity, Marianna worked tirelessly to champion the rights and protection of children, as well as the preservation of Hellenic cultural heritage.  Marianna would attend the annual 'Marianna V. Vardinogiannis Culture Award' ceremonies, which were celebrated in Ermioni.

These Culture Award ceremonies, held in Ermioni, were held to recognise and award international and national people that contributed to promoting Hellenic culture throughout the world.  Her guests included the previous and present Presidents of the Hellenic Republic, and awards were given to artists like Nana Mouskouri for their promotion of Hellenic Culture over many years.  Marianna was also involved in the future planning and establishment of a dedicated modern Archeological Museum in Ermioni.

During her active life, Marianna was also involved in other organizations, including the Library of Alexandria's Board of Directors, the International Women's movement for Peace, the International Centre for Mentor Foundation against Drugs, and the 'Light of Africa' foundation headed by the Patriarch of Alexandria.  She authored the book 'Approaching Women's Identity: Searches in Minoan Society'.  In 1996 Marianna became an honorary citizen of Ermioni.  The French Presidency honoured her as a 'Knight of the Legion of Honour', and in 2015, she was elevated to the rank of 'Officer of the Legion of Honour'.  In 2020 Marianna received the presigious 'Nelson Mandela Prize', further solidifying her legacy as an exceptional humanitarian.

During 2020, Marianna was responsible for organizing the national celebrations for the 2,500th anniversary of the famous battle of Thermopylae and the naval battle of Salamis in 480 BC.  As the celebrations were postponed and cancelled because of the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, she organized a limited event with the collaboration of the National Defece General Staff that was held at the Naval Academy in Piraeus, where she welcomed the Prime Minister Kyriakis Mitsotakis and his wife to the facilities.