Bette Bao Lord

Bette Bao Lord is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR). She was a director from 1998 to 2003. Lord is chairman of Freedom House (1993-2001), alleged to be a CFR front organization. Her name is associated with Voice of America and the Asia Foundation. Director of The Freedom Forum and the International Campaign for Tibet.

" In 1990, Bette published her second work of nonfiction, “Legacies, A Chinese Mosaic,” which tells the story of her return to China as the wife of the American ambassador. The book became a New York Times bestseller, a Book of the Month Club selection, and was named one of the top ten books of nonfiction for 1990 by Time Magazine. During the time of her husband’s service she played a critical role in smoothing Chinese and American relations as China opened up economically and politically by acting as a cultural ambassador. She explained China to the American TV and print media, serving as special consultant for CBS News as student protests unfolded at Tiananman Square. She helped send artists and writers to study in the U.S. and brought such people as Charlton Heston over to direct Chinese actors in a stage production of “The Caine Mutiny.” She is a founding member of the Committee of 100. Bette continues to be an author and distinguished guest lecturer at universities and government institutions across the US and is the Chairman Emeritus of Freedom House, which promotes democratic institutions around the world. The “Bette Bao Lord Prize for Writing in the Cause of Freedom” is named in her honor.

"Philanthropy: Bette Bao Lord and Winston Lord are sponsors of The Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the International Rescue Committee".

Her son is Winston Bao Lord.