Dagmar Dolby is a German-born American billionaire heiress and philanthropist whose fortune is rooted in Dolby Laboratories (NYSE: DLB), the iconic sound technology company. Born in Germany in 1941, she met her future husband, the audio technology inventor and founder of Dolby Laboratories, Ray Dolby (d. 2013), in Cambridge, England, in 1962.

Dagmar graduated from Heidelberg University in 1966. Her life became inextricably linked to the founding of the company; Ray Dolby founded Dolby Laboratories in London in 1965, and the couple married a year later. Dagmar's career focused almost entirely on philanthropic endeavors after they moved the company headquarters to San Francisco in 1976, dedicating her energy to education, science, and medical research.

Dagmar Dolby's career is defined by her role as a major shareholder and guardian of the Dolby Laboratories legacy, managing the multi-billion dollar fortune she inherited upon her husband's death in 2013. She immediately assumed ownership of nearly half of the company's shares. Her primary focus, however, has been high-impact philanthropy, which she led even while her husband was alive.

She was the President of Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) and became a national champion for reproductive freedom and democracy rights. Her most significant personal focus became Alzheimer's research, care, and advocacy after Ray Dolby was diagnosed with the disease in 2009. Her structural philanthropy includes massive gifts to major institutions, such as the $52.6 million donation to Cambridge University to fund the Ray and Dagmar Dolby Court and substantial funding for Alzheimer's research at UCSF.

Dagmar Dolby is a major global philanthropist, focusing on health, science, and social justice. Her structural giving is immense and concentrated.

• Alzheimer's Research: She has made multiple massive donations to fund Alzheimer's research and medicine buildings at institutions like UCSF (University of California-San Francisco) and Cambridge University.
• Education and Science: Her foundation supports graduate students in science, technology, and medicine (ARCS) and education programs globally.
• Social Justice: She is a champion for reproductive freedom and voting rights organizations, leveraging her wealth for social policy change.

Dagmar Dolby maintains the elegant, sophisticated style of a major American philanthropist and heiress. Her attire is consistently high-quality, favoring classic designer wear. Her aesthetic reflects her high-profile involvement in the arts and education communities of San Francisco and Cambridge.

Residing in San Francisco, her luxury is the immense security of her multi-billion dollar fortune, which she leverages almost entirely for high-impact social and scientific causes. Her life is dedicated to honoring her husband's technological legacy by funding research into the diseases, like Alzheimer's, that challenged his final years.