Leah Adler, the mother of legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg, passed away on February 21, 2017, at the age of 97. She died of natural causes at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by her family, according to a spokesperson for Spielberg’s production company, Amblin Partners. But who was Leah Adler, and what was her life story? How did she influence her son’s career and personality? And what legacy did she leave behind?
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A Passionate Artist and Musician
Leah Adler was born Leah Posner on October 12, 1920, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Her parents were Philip Posner and Jennie Fridman, Jewish immigrants from Odessa, Ukraine. She had a brother, Bernard, and a sister, Sonia.
Leah developed a love for music and art at an early age. She learned to play the piano when she was five years old and later studied at the Music Conservatory in Cincinnati. She also enjoyed painting and drawing, and had a talent for watercolors.
She married Arnold Meyer Spielberg, an electrical engineer, in 1945. They had four children: Steven, Anne, Sue, and Nancy. The family moved around the country due to Arnold’s work, living in New Jersey, Arizona, and California. Leah supported her husband’s career, but also pursued her own artistic interests. She performed piano concerts, ran an art gallery, and taught music lessons to children.
A Divorce and a New Beginning
Leah and Arnold divorced in 1965, after 20 years of marriage. Leah moved back to Arizona, where she met Bernie Adler, a businessman and restaurateur. They married in 1967 and moved to Los Angeles, where they opened a kosher dairy restaurant called The Milky Way.
The Milky Way became a popular spot for locals and celebrities alike, thanks to Leah’s warm and charismatic personality. She greeted every customer with a smile and a hug, and often entertained them with stories and jokes. She also decorated the restaurant with her paintings and memorabilia from her son’s movies, such as E.T., Gremlins, and An American Tail.
Leah was proud of her son’s achievements, but also had a sense of humor about his fame. She once said in an interview, “I told Steve, if I’d known how famous he was going to be, I’d have had my uterus bronzed.”
A Loving Mother and Grandmother
Leah was a devoted mother and grandmother, who had a close and affectionate relationship with her children and grandchildren. She encouraged them to follow their dreams and passions, and supported them in their endeavors. She was especially influential in Steven’s life, inspiring him to become a storyteller and a filmmaker.
Steven often credited his mother for his imagination and creativity. He said in an interview, “She was the one that filled my imagination with stories and ideas and magic. She was the one that made me feel like anything was possible.”
He also said that his mother was his “lucky charm”, and dedicated his Oscar for Best Director for Schindler’s List to her in 1994. He said, “I want to thank my mom, who is the best mom in the whole world. And I’m so glad you’re here tonight, mom. You are my lucky charm, and I love you very much.”
Leah was also a source of inspiration for some of Steven’s movies, such as The Fabelmans, a semi-autobiographical film about his childhood and his relationship with his mother. The film, which was nominated for seven Oscars, portrayed Leah as a vibrant and eccentric woman, who loved music, dancing, and adventure.
A Legacy of Joy and Kindness
Leah Adler died peacefully at her home in Los Angeles, surrounded by her family, on February 21, 2017. She was 97 years old. She is survived by her four children, 11 grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Her husband, Bernie Adler, died in 1995, and her ex-husband, Arnold Spielberg, died in 2020.
Leah Adler left behind a legacy of joy and kindness, touching the lives of many people with her music, art, and personality. She was a passionate artist, a loving mother, and a generous friend, who lived life to the fullest. She was also an iconic Jewish mother, who embodied the values of faith, family, and humor.
She once said, “The real soul of me is music. And I know that’s what I gave to my son. I gave him the music of life.”
