Francis Joseph Shakespeare (April 9, 1925 – December 14, 2022) was an American diplomat, political consultant and media executive. He was a vice president of the CBS network, and an executive vice president, before entering public service. He served as the United States ambassador to Portugal from 1985 to 1986 and the United States ambassador to the Holy See from 1986 to 1989. He later served as an honorary member of the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation.
Early life and education
Born in New York City to Francis and Frances () Shakespeare on April 9, 1925, He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1945 to 1946. when he was appointed by President Richard Nixon as director of the United States Information Agency. After serving in this capacity from 1969-1973, he returned to the private sector as executive vice president of Westinghouse in New York. In 1975 he became vice chairman of RKO General. the entity which oversaw the operations of Radio Free Europe. He held this position until 1985, when Reagan appointed him United States Ambassador to Portugal.
From 1979, Shakespeare was an honorary member of the board of trustees for The Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C.–based public policy research institute. He also served as a trustee of the Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin<!-- DO NOT LINK, see MOS:GEOLINK for further guidance -->.
Personal life
Shakespeare was divorced and had one son and two daughters. He served the Catholic Church as a member of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. He died on December 14, 2022, at age 97.