History of Abigail Disney in Timeline

Abigail Edna Disney is an American documentary film producer, philanthropist, and social activist, notable for being a member of the Disney family. She produced the 2008 documentary 'Pray the Devil Back to Hell' and, along with Kathleen Hughes, produced and directed 'The Armor of Light' (2015), which won an Outstanding Social Issue Documentary Emmy Award, and 'The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales.'

January 24, 1960: Abigail Disney's Birth

Abigail Edna Disney was born on January 24, 1960.

1982: Abigail Disney Graduates from Yale University

In 1982, Abigail Disney graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.

1988: Abigail Disney Marries Pierre Norman Hauser

Abigail Disney married Pierre Norman Hauser in 1988.

1991: Establishment of The Daphne Foundation

Abigail Disney and her husband, Pierre Hauser, established The Daphne Foundation in 1991 to address poverty in New York City.

1994: Abigail Disney Earns PhD from Columbia University

Abigail Disney completed her PhD in philosophy from Columbia University in 1994, focusing on the role of romanticized violence in American literature.

2007: Abigail Disney and Gini Reticker Establish Fork Films

In 2007, Abigail Disney partnered with Gini Reticker to establish Fork Films, a production company based in New York.

2008: "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" Wins at Tribeca Film Festival

"Pray the Devil Back to Hell" won the Best Documentary award at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2008 and gained international recognition.

2008: Abigail Disney Founds Peace is Loud

Abigail Disney founded Peace is Loud, a non-profit organization, in 2008 to amplify the voices of women peacebuilders using media and events.

2008: Release of "Pray the Devil Back to Hell"

Abigail Disney produced the documentary "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," directed by Gini Reticker, which showcased the role of Liberian women in peacebuilding. The film was released in 2008.

September 21, 2009: Culmination of "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" Global Peace Tour

The "Pray the Devil Back to Hell" Global Peace Tour, a collaborative effort between Fork Films and Film Sprout, concluded on the United Nations' International Day of Peace, September 21, 2009, after screening the film in numerous countries and cities.

2011: Abigail Disney and Leymah Gbowee's Trip to Congo

In 2011, Abigail Disney and Nobel laureate Leymah Gbowee traveled to the Congo to collaborate with women peace activists.

2011: Leymah Gbowee Receives Nobel Peace Prize

Leymah Gbowee, the central figure in "Pray the Devil Back to Hell," was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.

2011: Release of "Women, War & Peace" and Abigail Disney's Activism Recognition

The five-part PBS series "Women, War & Peace," executive produced by Abigail Disney, premiered in 2011, earning multiple awards and highlighting women's roles in conflict and peacebuilding. The same year, Abigail Disney received an Athena Film Festival Award for her impact through film.

November 23, 2012: Shooting of Jordan Davis

Jordan Davis was fatally shot in Jacksonville, Florida, on November 23, 2012, an event that sparked debate about stand-your-ground laws and became a focal point in "The Armor of Light."

2012: Abigail Disney Renounces Profits from Ahava Cosmetics

Abigail Disney renounced her share of profits from the Disney family's investment in Ahava cosmetics in 2012, citing ethical concerns about the company's factory location in a West Bank settlement.

April 2015: Premiere of "The Armor of Light" at Tribeca Film Festival

"The Armor of Light," Abigail Disney's directorial debut, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2015.

May 2015: Abigail Disney Participates in DMZ Crossing with Women Peacebuilders

In May 2015, Abigail Disney joined Leymah Gbowee and other women peacebuilders in crossing the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, advocating for peace and solidarity.

October 30, 2015: Theatrical Release of "The Armor of Light"

"The Armor of Light," directed by Abigail Disney, premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April 2015 and was released in theaters on October 30, 2015.

2015: Release of "The Armor of Light"

Abigail Disney and Kathleen Hughes produced and directed "The Armor of Light," a documentary exploring gun violence and stand-your-ground laws, released on October 30, 2015.

2015: Abigail Disney Executive Produces "The Trials of Spring"

Abigail Disney executive produced "The Trials of Spring" in 2015, a project that included both a feature-length documentary and a series of short films.

2017: "The Armor of Light" Wins Emmy Award

"The Armor of Light" won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Social Issue Documentary in 2017.

2018: Abigail Disney Launches Level Forward

Abigail Disney launched Level Forward, a film, television, and theater production company, in partnership with Killer Content in 2018.

2018: Bob Iger's Compensation

In 2018, Disney CEO Bob Iger received a $66 million compensation package.

April 21, 2019: Abigail Disney Criticizes Bob Iger's Compensation

On April 21, 2019, Abigail Disney publicly criticized the compensation of Disney CEO Bob Iger, sparking a debate about income inequality.

July 2019: Abigail Disney Criticizes Disneyland Working Conditions

In July 2019, Abigail Disney publicly criticized working conditions at Disneyland following a meeting with employees at their union office. She revealed shocking accounts from employees who resorted to foraging for food in garbage bins due to inadequate wages.

2019: Abigail Disney's Net Worth Reported

As of 2019, Abigail Disney's net worth was estimated to be approximately $120 million.

January 2020: Patriotic Millionaires Advocate for Higher Taxes at World Economic Forum

Abigail Disney, as a member of the Patriotic Millionaires, joined the group in demanding higher taxes on the wealthy at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January 2020.

May 2020: Abigail Disney's TED Talk on Income Inequality at Disney

In May 2020, Abigail Disney delivered a compelling TED Talk where she criticized the pay disparities between Disney theme park employees and executives. She highlighted the struggles of employees, stating that many could not afford basic necessities despite being the face of the company's magical experience.

2020: Abigail Disney Criticizes Disney's Furlough Policy

In 2020, Abigail Disney took to Twitter to publicly criticize the Walt Disney Company's decision to furlough hundreds of thousands of low-paid employees during the coronavirus pandemic.

June 2021: Abigail Disney Criticizes Wealthy Tax Practices in The Atlantic

Abigail Disney authored an opinion piece in The Atlantic in June 2021, criticizing tax strategies employed by affluent individuals to minimize their tax burdens.

October 2022: Fork Films Ceases Operations

Fork Films, co-founded by Abigail Disney, ceased operations in October 2022.

2022: Release of "The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales"

Abigail Disney and Kathleen Hughes produced and directed "The American Dream and Other Fairy Tales," with her brother, Tim Disney, as executive producer. The film was released in 2022.

2022: Abigail Disney Criticizes Bob Chapek's Silence on Florida's "Don't Say Gay" Bill

In 2022, Abigail Disney joined a chorus of individuals, including current and former Disney employees, in condemning then-CEO Bob Chapek for his silence on Florida's House Bill 1557, known as the "Don't Say Gay" bill. The controversial law, passed in February 2022, banned classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade.

July 2024: Abigail Disney Pauses Democratic Party Donations

In July 2024, Abigail Disney, a known member and donor to the Democratic Party, publicly announced her decision to withhold further contributions until President Joe Biden withdrew from the 2024 United States presidential election.