Charlotte Mailliard Shultz


Charlotte Mailliard Shultz, CVO is an American heiress and socialite. She is the Chief of Protocol for the state of California, and the Chief of Protocol for the City and County of San Francisco. She is married to former United States Secretary of State George P. Shultz.
In 2007, she was named Honorary Commander of the Royal Victorian Order by Queen Elizabeth II. Mailliard Shultz was President of the board of the War Memorial Performing Arts Center and a member of the boards of the San Francisco Symphony, Grace Cathedral, the Commonwealth Club of California, and the San Francisco Ballet. A native Texan, Mailliard Shultz has often quipped about San Francisco, "...if I don't pay my dues, they may send me back to Texas!"

Early life and education

Born Charlotte Smith on September 26, 1933, in Borger, Texas, where her father ran the general store, she went on to graduate from the University of Arkansas with a degree in fashion design, marketing and merchandising.

Career

After college, Mailliard moved to San Francisco.
Mailliard's role as Chief of Protocol for San Francisco has been called the "city's premier party-giver" by the Chronicle. Her role as Chief of Protocol began as a volunteer for then-San Francisco mayor Jack Shelley, spanning over seven mayoral administrations until mayor Frank Jordan's term. Jordan chose Richard Goldman as his Chief of Protocol. Mayor Willie Brown re-appointed Mailliard to the post in 1996. In total, she served as Chief of Protocol for eight mayoral administrations and during that time brought back the city's Black and White Ball, organized the 50th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge with the Golden Gate Bridge Walk, and welcomed British royalty and Pope John Paul II on their visits to the city.
In 2003, in San Francisco, a surprise party was held to honor her work on behalf of the city. Baseball legend Willie Mays, mayor Gavin Newsom, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and wife Maria Shriver were in attendance. It was announced that the staircase of San Francisco City Hall would be known as the Charlotte Mailliard Shultz Staircase.
In 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger appointed her as Chief of Protocol for the State of California.

Personal life

After moving to San Francisco, Mailliard met her first husband, John Ward Mailliard III, who died of cancer in 1986. In 1988, she married Melvin Swig, owner of the Fairmont Hotel. As a couple, Melvin and Charlotte donated and raised numerous funds for building the new San Francisco Public Library. Melvin Swig died in 1993. In 1997, Mailliard married George Shultz.
Mailliard's marriage, at age 63, to former Secretary of State George Shultz, a widower, at Grace Cathedral in 1997 was considered San Francisco's "social event of the year". He gave her a diamond, sapphire and ruby engagement ring. Guests included Nancy Reagan, California governor Pete Wilson, and U.S. Representative Nancy Pelosi.
The couple has continued to be actively involved in San Francisco social events, such as hosting receptions at their Russian Hill penthouse on top of The Summit for Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair's visit in 2006 or for a group of US and foreign diplomats in 2015.