Aloyis Lee Sonneborn Neal Auction Company is honored to present the Estate of Aloyis Lee Sonneborn, a respected businesswoman, socialite, and philanthropist of Mobile, AL. A self-made, independent woman, Sonneborn established herself as a commercial real estate broker in the Mobile, AL community. Known for her successful ventures, she was contacted by the real estate division of an emerging restaurant chain, McDonald’s. During this transaction, she met Harry Sonneborn, then the President and CEO of McDonald’s, who would later become her husband. When McDonald’s went public at the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), then a male only establishment, Mr. Sonneborn refused to participate unless his wife was admitted. The NYSE relented on their gender regulation and Aloyis Lee Sonneborn was the second woman in history, after Queen Elizabeth, to be admitted onto the stock exchange floor. After the Sonneborns married, they traveled the world on adventures, amassing a collection of fine and decorative arts. Eventually they settled in Mobile, where they hosted lavish parties and dinners with friends. Sonneborn was also active the community. She served on various charitable boards including the Historic Blakeley Foundation of which she served as Chairman. In 2009, she established the Harry J. and Aloyis L. Sonneborn Foundation Trust, which provides need-based college scholarships to Mobile area students. The Estate of Aloyis L. Sonneborn collection, which includes fine Continental furniture, paintings, prints, decorative arts, jewelry, and Asian art, reflects her passion for travel and entertaining. The proceeds from the sale will go to benefit the Harry J. and Aloyis L. Sonneborn Foundation Trust.
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