Walesa praises late philanthropist Piasecka-Johnson

photo: Lech Walesa Institute

Piasecka-Johnson, who became one of the wealthiest women in the world after marrying into US pharmaceutical dynasty Johnson and Johnson, died in Poland on 1 April, after a long illness.

In an interview with Polish Radio, erstwhile Solidarity leader Walesa highlighted her efforts to save the Gdansk Shipyard, birthplace of the pro-democracy trade union.

“The shipyard was the most important point on the map in the fight against communism, and that's why Rakowski [Poland's communist prime minister from 1988-89] and that whole group decided to get rid of the shipyard,” he said.

“As the leader of the fight, I did everything to find someone who would prolong our agony, and I went to Mrs Piasecka, and she took up the cause of the yard,” he added.

Walesa admits that Piasecka-Johnson “lost a lot of money,” with the take-over ultimately falling through. Today, the shipyard employs just over 2000 workers, compared with about 20,000 in its heyday.

However, Piasecka-Johnson maintained close ties with Gdansk, opening a centre for children with autism in the city in 2010.

Her husband, John Seward Johnson I, predeceased her in 1983. The family had initially employed her as a housekeeper, leading to a highly publicised inheritance battle, with Piasecka-Johnson ultimately securing the lion's share of the family fortune.

Besides humanitarian work, Piasecka-Johnson was also a prolific art collector. (nh)