- The Met is renaming spaces named after the Sackler family.
- The Sacklers were ordered to pay a $4.3 billion settlement to those harmed by Purdue Pharma drugs.
- The family agreed that dropping the name was "in the interest" of the museum.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art announced Thursday that it was dropping the "Sackler" name from spaces within the celebrated gallery, a decision supported by the family.
The decision comes after the Sacklers agreed to pay a $4.3 billion settlement to those harmed by the highly addictive drug Oxycontin and other opioids that were manufactured by Purdue Pharma.
"Our families have always strongly supported The Met, and we believe this to be in the best interest of the museum and the important mission that it serves," descendants of Purdue Pharma co-owners Mortimer and Raymond Sackler said in a statement. The family indicated that its giving would now cease, as "we are passing the torch to others who might wish to step forward to support the museum."
The Sacklers have donated millions of dollars to The Met over the years, beginning in 1974, when Mortimer and Raymond donated $3.5 million to build a wing that houses an Egyptian temple, The New Yorker reported. The Sackler Wing and Exhibition Hall opened in September 1978 with its inaugural exhibition featuring items from the tomb of Tutankhamen.
In a statement, Dan Weiss, president and CEO of The Met, said the Sacklers had been "among our most generous supporters." He thanks them for the "gracious gesture" of agreeing to remove their name from the museum, saying it would help The Met serve future generations. "We greatly appreciate it," he said.
This story is developing. Please check back for updates.
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