Camila Batmanghelidjh, founder and former managing director of charity Kids Company, has died aged 61.
Her family said the children’s advocate died peacefully in her sleep, following a birthday celebration.
Batmanghelidjh started Kids Company in 1996 in south London to support deprived and vulnerable children and young people living in cities.
The charity founder was born in Iranian capital city Tehran and grew up in the UK before studying at the University of Warwick.
In 2015, Kids Company came under intense media scrutiny before collapsing in the summer, in the wake of safeguarding allegations.
The charity had just received a £3m restructuring grant from the government, but failed to secure match-funding from philanthropists.
In 2021, Kids Company’s trustees and chief executive were cleared of running an unsustainable business by the High Court.
However, in 2022 the Charity Commission criticised Kids Company in a statutory inquiry report over its failure to build up reserves.
Batmanghelidjh planned to bring a judicial review of the Commission’s report, saying it made “a number of unwarranted, irrational and unreasonable criticisms of Kids Company”.
Tributes
A statement from her family reads: “It is with great sadness that the family of Camila Batmanghelidjh announce her death after a period of failing health. She died peacefully in her sleep the night of 1 January, following a birthday celebration with her family.
“Camila dedicated her life to advocating for Britain’s most vulnerable children. In 1996, she founded Kids Company, which pioneered new therapeutic and clinical models to achieve a singular goal: ‘To see children and young people become safe and able to realise their potential.’
“Working alongside her devoted colleagues and dedicated volunteers, Camila changed the lives of tens of thousands of children and young people in London, Bristol, and Liverpool otherwise neglected by a failing child protection system. She showed these children that they were worthy of love and support.
“For all those around her, and especially for her family, she was an endless source of inspiration, a fountain of wit, and a kaleidoscope of colour.
“Camila’s family hopes that her memory will inspire others to consider how they might protect and uplift vulnerable children. As she once wrote: ‘Their courage deserves this reflection.’”
Members of her family also shared their tributes on social media.
My beloved aunt, Camila Batmanghelidjh, has died.
— Esfandyar Batmanghelidj (@yarbatman) January 2, 2024
She believed that vulnerable children in Britain deserved "unrelenting love."
She was a source of inspiration, a fountain of wit, and a kaleidoscope of colour. I adored her.
I am sharing a statement from our family. pic.twitter.com/oyW31qUEHE
Homeless charity Brixton Soup Kitchen added it was “very sad”, stating that Batmanghelidjh “donated over 100 Christmas gifts last week to less fortunate kids”.
Very sad to announce that camila batmanghelidjh founder of kids company has passed away this morning and our hearts go out to her family at this time, She donated over 100 Christmas gifts last week to less fortunate kids 😩❤️🙏🏽#camilabatmanghelidjh #kidscompany pic.twitter.com/rV6Vq8MS2d
— Brixton Soup Kitchen (@BrixSoupKitchen) January 2, 2024
Leaders in the charity sector and from those in the public also shared their tributes.
So sad to see this news. I believe Camilla loved children & desperately tried to help. Not that long ago she said to me, ‘always protect yourself, don’t be naive, social leadership is risky’, wisdom I took to heart. A complex, imperfect, brilliant woman. Rest in power Camilla 🫶🏼 https://t.co/bkkECJ20GN
— Dr Sarah Hughes (@_Sarah_Hughes_) January 2, 2024
Camila Batmanghelidjh dedicated her life to advocating for the most vulnerable children, especially those who fell through the gaps in social & NHS services. She was a force of nature. A world changer. Camila’s legacy will live on in each life touched by her kindness and love. pic.twitter.com/ue0Gz5WWmv
— Steve Chalke (@SteveChalke) January 3, 2024
Camila Batmanghelidjh, the much maligned & largely exonerated, founder of Kids Company & the Place to Be, died aged 61 on New Year's Day.
— Jacqueline (Jacqui) Mckenzie (@JacquiMckenzie6) January 3, 2024
In my work in both criminal & immigration practice, I met many young people who credited her with turning their lives around. May she RIP. pic.twitter.com/nMGGLjLirZ
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