Today, on what would have been her 101st birthday, we honor the remarkable life and achievements of Irmgard Schmid-Maybach, born on October 16, 1923, in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Irmgard made a lasting impact on the evolution of MTU Friedrichshafen (now Rolls-Royce Solutions GmbH). As a dedicated Supervisory Board member for over two decades and later an honorary life Board member, she helped shape the company’s future, all while staying true to her family’s pioneering spirit and values.
In a time when women were rarely seen in boardrooms, Irmgard carved a path for herself through intelligence, empathy and a genuine passion for her work. Her presence on the board helped challenge expectations and paved the way for other women to envision roles beyond traditional boundaries.
Even after moving to San Francisco in the 1950s, she stayed closely tied to her roots, regularly visiting Friedrichshafen. She believed in honoring her heritage, which inspired her to establish the Wilhelm-Maybach-Award, and later, the Karl-Maybach-Award. In 2000, she was honored with the Medal of Honor of the City of Friedrichshafen for her achievements.
Today, we remember Irmgard Schmid-Maybach not just for her accomplishments but also for her warmth and unwavering dedication to her family’s legacy and the Maybach values: She remains a source of inspiration, especially for women in industries where she continues to stand out as a trailblazer.
