Los Angeles, California – (January 23, 2020) – Brigitte Kruse, founder of the Los Angeles based, world-record-breaking Kruse GWS Auctions, has become the first auctioneer knighted by a Royal family.
In a ceremony filled with traditions and poise, Principe Lorenzo de’ Medici of the Italian Royal family conferred on Brigitte Kruse the title of Cavaliere— the Italian equivalent of an English knighthood—and as an additional honour and distinction, named her an “Ambasciatore Delle Arti” (Ambassador of the Arts).
An ambassador of the auction industry, Kruse is the first female auctioneer to get into the Guinness Book of World Records, and now, the first to attain knighthood. The fashionable, multi-lingual auctioneer that can conduct professional auctions in five languages is set to receive another honor— the Multicultural International Motion Picture Association’s Lady in Red Diamond Rose Award—for her philanthropic works. The organization’s 11th annual gala will take place on February 21, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
A fierce advocate for children with autism, she has raised millions of dollars to provide services and research. Kruse and her husband have also donated to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and MusiCares. Along with her husband Mike Sislyan, Kruse regularly visits orphanages for disabled children in high conflict zones around the world, delivering food, toys, medications and clothing.
During most of the period from 1434 to 1737, the powerful de’ Medici family dominated Italy’s political, religious and cultural landscape, ushering in the Renaissance and serving as patrons of artists and scientists like Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Galileo. Today, the de’ Medici family remains an influential force in business and the arts and humanities. The de’ Medici royal family had three Popes in power and remain one of the most influential royal families in the entire world. As a part of her responsibilities and oath to the Cavaliere, Brigitte Kruse will feed the homeless with the Pope each year in Rome, during the holidays. This is what she says she looks forward to the most, because she wishes to take her children and family.