Lurline Matson Roth

Lurline Matson Roth (1890–1985) was an American heiress, equestrian and philanthropist from San Francisco, California. She competed in horse shows in the United States, and bred award-winning horses. She donated her estate, Filoli, to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Early life Born Lurline Berenice Matson on September 3, 1890, in San Francisco, California. She was named Lurline after sugar magnate Claus Spreckels's yacht. Her father, William Matson, was the Swedish-American founder of Matson, Inc., a shipping corporation. Her mother was Lillie Berenice (Low) Matson (1864–1930).

In 1924, her mother purchased the Why Worry Farm in Woodside for Lurline, where she bred horses. She owned a five-gaited horse, a three-gaited horse, a Standardbred road horse, a Hackney horse, a Hackney pony and a jumper and hired a trainer, thus turning it into a show stable. The renovation cost US$10 million.

Personal life She met William Philip Roth (1879–1963), a stockbroker from Honolulu, in 1913. In 1937, they purchased Filoli, an estate in Woodside, California, from heir William Bowers Bourn II. They often entertained guests at Filoli, including the pianist Ignace Paderewski and the aviator Amelia Earhart, who took Lurline on a plane ride in 1937.

Death She died on Wednesday, September 4, 1985, in Burlingame, California. She was ninety-five years old.