Yvonne Kálmán, daughter of the celebrated Hungarian operetta composer Emmerich Kálmán and a lifelong guardian of his musical heritage, passed away on Friday, November 7, 2025, in Los Angeles. She was 88.
Born in Europe and raised amid the turmoil of exile and migration, Yvonne Kálmán devoted her life to celebrating, protecting, and sharing her father’s legacy — the glittering music that defined the Silver Age of Viennese operetta.
Throughout her life, Yvonne became a passionate international advocate for her father’s works.
Living for many years in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, she tirelessly built relationships across the global theatre and music world — collaborating with opera houses, artistic directors, and conductors to stage new international co-productions of her father’s operettas. Thanks to her efforts, beloved works such as Die Csárdásfürstin (The Gypsy Princess), Gräfin Mariza, and Die Herzogin von Chicago (The Duchess of Chicago) found new audiences in Europe, Australia, and the United States.
In interviews, Yvonne spoke of her father’s brilliance with deep affection and pride. “One day we were walking the family dachshund in New York,” she recalled, “and all of a sudden my father said, ‘Yvonne, please don’t be mad at me, but I have to go home right away… because I have a melody and I have to write it down before I forget it.’”
She often remembered his constant creativity: “He loved good food, he had a little Bösendorfer piano in his bedroom that he played — he was always working.”
And she saw her role as a mission: “I consider myself responsible for a lot of the renaissance of Emmerich Kálmán,” she once said. “I brought my father’s music to Australia, and then to theatres across the United States.”
For her cultural achievements, she was awarded the Pro Cultura Hungarica medal by the Hungarian Ministry of Culture in 2017, on her 80th birthday.
Beyond the world of operetta, Yvonne Kálmán was also deeply committed to animal welfare. In Puerto Vallarta, she founded the Yvonneka Foundation, a nonprofit organization devoted to rescuing and caring for abandoned dogs, providing medical treatment, shelter, and adoption opportunities. Under her guidance, the foundation has become one of the region’s leading voices for compassion and humane treatment of animals — a cause as close to her heart as music itself.
In her later years, she often reflected on the enduring power of both art and kindness. “I’m very grateful that my father has not been forgotten,” she said, “and that new generations are loving his music.”
Yvonne Kálmán’s life was a bridge — between past and present, between nations and generations, between art and compassion. Through her advocacy, her organizational work, and her humanitarian spirit, she ensured that both Emmerich Kálmán’s melodies and her own legacy of kindness will continue to resonate across the world.
A Message from the Yvonneka Foundation Board of Directors
We are deeply saddened by the passing of our beloved and admired friend, Yvonne Kalman — the founder and president of the Yvonneka Foundation.
Yvonne’s vision and dedication created a lasting legacy of compassion through her tireless work to rescue and protect abandoned dogs here in Puerto Vallarta. Her spirit and love for this mission will continue to guide us as we carry her work forward.
In accordance with Yvonne’s wishes, we will proudly continue her cherished tradition — the annual “FunRaiser” — as a celebration of her life and legacy. Please join us for FUN-RAISER FRIDA X on December 13, 2025, as originally planned.
Tickets may be purchased at https://yvonnekafoundation.org/fundraiser/
As always, we promise an unforgettable evening filled with joy, friendship, and the enduring spirit of Yvonne Kalman.
