Joanne King Herring is an American socialite, businesswoman, political activist, philanthropist, diplomat, and former television talk show host. Hailing from Houston, Texas, she is most known for her long association and political relation with the President of Pakistan Zia-ul-Haq. Herring also served as the honorary consular at the Consulate-General of Pakistan based in Houston; she is also the recipient of Jinnah Medal? one of Pakistan's highest honor. Throughout the 1980s, Herring played a role in helping the U.S. Representative Charlie Wilson to persuade the U.S. government to train and arm the Mujahideen resistance fighters to fight in the Soviet war in Afghanistan, which began in 1979. These events inspired the book Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History; Herring is portrayed by actress Julia Roberts in the 2007 film Charlie Wilson's War. Since the September 11 attacks, Herring has stated that she "did not make al-Qaeda," and that she "cannot predict the future." Herring remains very active in social circles in Houston, and regularly contributes to and participates in benefits to help American troops and the Afghan people. 

July 3rd, 1929 in Houston (Age 95)