Jadranka Njerš Beresford-Peirse, heritage philanthropist, dies in London

Lady Jadranka Njerš Beresford-Peirse, a prominent Croatian philanthropist and advocate for cultural heritage, has passed away in London at the age of 89.

Alongside her husband, Sir Henry Beresford-Peirse, she founded the International Trust for Croatian Monuments in 1991 to address the extensive damage caused to Croatian heritage during the Homeland War. For over three decades, the foundation has funded the restoration of numerous sites, including the Eltz Castle in Vukovar, the Osijek Cathedral, and various churches and monasteries in Dubrovnik and Poljud. The trust also provided aid for earthquake recovery in Zagreb and Petrinja.

Her work significantly strengthened ties between Croatia and the United Kingdom. In 2024, King Charles III awarded her an MBE for her contributions to Croatian-British relations and heritage protection. She was also recognized in Croatia with the Danica award and various municipal honors in Dubrovnik and Vukovar.