Americas

Melissa Foelsch Wells was a distinguished American diplomat whose career spanned over four decades, with postings in countries including Trinidad & Tobago, France, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Mozambique, Zaire, and Estonia, as well as key roles in the United Nations focusing on development, emergency relief, and disability prevention.

Born in Tallinn, Estonia, in 1932, she emigrated to the United States as a child and later earned a B.S. cum laude in Foreign Service from Georgetown University.

Fluent in six languages, Wells excelled in international diplomacy and global cooperation, was married to former diplomat Alfred Washburn Wells, and had two sons and three grandchildren.

After retiring, she lived in Spain and the United States, leaving a lasting legacy of dedication to public service and fostering international relations.