Gore: Martha Ingram had 'a profound and lasting positive impact' on Tennessee

Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore said he is "deeply saddened" by the death of Nashville billionaire business leader, philanthropist and arts patron Martha Ingram, who died Aug. 6 at age 90. "Her many contributions to Tennessee have had a profound and lasting positive impact on our state and its pe

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Former U.S. Vice President Al Gore said he is "deeply saddened" by the death of Nashville billionaire business leader, philanthropist and arts patron Martha Ingram, who died Aug. 6 at age 90.

"Her many contributions to Tennessee have had a profound and lasting positive impact on our state and its people," Gore, a lifelong Tennessee politician and climate change activist, said in a statement to The Tennessean.

Martha Ingram poses at her home in 1971, top left, with Steven Greil at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center in 2000, bottom left, dancing with Kenneth Schermerhorn at the Symphony Ball in 1997, with husband E. Bronson Ingram in 1964, top right, and with Gil Merritt in 2013.

"She strengthened Nashville's arts community, educational institutions, and medical research infrastructure. I always knew Martha to be the embodiment of grace, generosity, and a steadfast Volunteer spirit," the statement said.

"I am thinking of the Ingram family and all of those whose lives she touched at this difficult time."

Reach Brad Schmitt

at brad@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Gore: Martha Ingram had 'a profound and lasting positive impact' on Tennessee