Cynthia Louise Germanotta (née Bissett; born August 30, 1954) is an American philanthropist, activist and entrepreneur.
[1][2] Germanotta was born Cynthia Louise Bissett on August 30, 1954, in West Virginia and was raised in Wheeling.
[5] Germanotta graduated from John Marshall High School in Glen Dale, West Virginia.
[2][5] In 2012, Germanotta and her daughter, Lady Gaga, co-founded the Born This Way Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on inspiring youth, ending bullying, and building up communities.
[6][7] Germanotta was honored by Boston PFLAG and by Dancing Classrooms for her advocacy regarding youth mental health.