Elizabeth A. Wirth (BA’64, Hon. DMus’23) is one of McGill University’s most accomplished and generous benefactors. She received McGill’s highest honour, an Honorary Doctorate, in 2023, conferred by the Schulich School of Music in recognition of Ms. Wirth’s profound dedication to the School’s students and faculty, and her personal passion for music.
A genuine champion of the Schulich School, Ms. Wirth has chaired the School’s Faculty Advisory Board since 2008, and her exceptional philanthropy has touched the School in a myriad of ways. She has helped provide state-of-the-art music facilities on our campus, including the Wirth Opera Studio and the School’s sound recording studios. In recognition of her extraordinary support for students and for the Opera program, McGill named the Elizabeth Wirth Music Building in her honour in 2015. Since this landmark gift, over 425 students have received vital financial assistance and meaningful acknowledgment thanks to Ms. Wirth. Furthermore, the Wirth Vocal Prize has grown into one of Canada’s most prestigious prizes for Opera students, launching emerging luminary vocal talents such as Emily Richter, Elisabeth St-Gélais and Jingjing Xu.
In addition to her continued dedication at the School, Ms. Wirth is deeply involved with important artistic and social causes. She is President Emerita of the Viennese Ball of Montreal, and Vice-President of the Boards of Opéra de Montréal as well as the Musée Lac Brome. She also recently served as co-chair of the Chez Doris Day and Night major fundraising campaign, which vastly increased shelters for vulnerable and homeless women.
Born in Vienna, Austria, Ms. Wirth attended primary and secondary schools in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, and Montreal. After receiving an honours degree in political science and history from McGill University, she pursued graduate studies at Université de Génève.
She is President and CEO of Wirth Brand Inc. and Wirth Trading Inc., Montreal-based internationally active metals companies specializing in flat-rolled aluminum. She is also chair and a founding director of Wirth Rail Corporation, supplying rail worldwide.
