Beatriz Zobel de Ayala passes away

MANILA, Philippines — Beatriz Zobel de Ayala, the matriarch of the Ayala family, has passed away at the age of 88.

Ayala Corp. (AC), the country’s oldest conglomerate, confirmed the passing of Beatriz, known as Doña Bea, on Sept. 23, 2024.

She is the wife of the company’s chairman emeritus, Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

“It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Beatriz Zobel de Ayala,” AC said in a statement.

The family has requested privacy during this most difficult time.

Doña Bea, who was born in Madrid on Feb. 29, 1936, is survived by her husband and their children, Jaime Augusto, Fernando, Bea, Patsy, Cristina, Monica and Sofia, as well as their respective spouses and grandchildren.

The Ayala Group said that in lieu of flowers, donations to her favorite charities, Friends of Elsie Gaches and Tuloy Foundation, would be kindly appreciated.

A memorial service on Sept. 27 at 9:30 a.m. is scheduled at the Santuario de San Antonio Church in Forbes Park, Makati.

In a social media post, charitable organization Care Share Serve Give Philippines (CSS Gives Philippines) expressed its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Doña Bea.

“Despite her family’s success and status, Doña Bea kept a low profile and devoted much of her time doing philanthropy through her active participation in the Catholic Women’s League and her support for the charities at the Bilibid Prison and Tala Leprosarium. May she and all the faithfully departed rest in peace,” CSS Gives Philippines said.