For nearly 140 years, the Statue of Liberty has welcomed millions of visitors and symbolized freedom, opportunity and hope around the world. Standing proudly in New York Harbor, Lady Liberty is one of America’s most recognizable icons and an image with special meaning for ManhattanLife.

Like Lady Liberty, ManhattanLife has a history that spans generations. Her enduring presence reflects many of the values that define our brand: strength, security, independence and optimism for the future.

10 Things You May Not Know About The Statue of Liberty

1. America helped fund her pedestal. When The Statue of Liberty was sent to the United States from France, its pedestal was not yet complete. That’s when newspaper entrepreneur, Joseph Pulitzer, created a paper campaign asking for small donations. More than 120,000 Americans contributed, raising the $270,000 needed to complete the pedestal, on which the statue was permanently placed in 1886.
2. She wasn't always green. Lady Liberty originally had the reddish-brown color of a new penny. Decades of weathering created her famous green patina, which also protects the copper beneath it.
3. Broken chains rest at her feet. They symbolize freedom from oppression and servitude and are difficult to see from ground level.
4. Her official name is Liberty Enlightening the World. Her raised torch represents enlightenment and the light of liberty.
5. Her design was inspired by Libertas. The Roman goddess of liberty helped inspire Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi's vision for the statue.
6. She has very big feet. If Lady Liberty wore shoes, estimates put her at approximately a U.S. women's size 879.
7. It's a long climb to the crown. Visitors climb roughly 350 steps to reach one of the statue's most famous vantage points.
8. Her crown has seven rays. They are commonly associated with the seven seas and seven continents, representing the universal idea of liberty.
9. She can withstand lightning. Her height and location make lightning strikes inevitable and the monument is designed to withstand the elements.
10. She moves with the wind. In strong winds, the statue and torch can sway several inches, a combination of strength and flexibility that has helped her endure.

An Icon That Reflects Our Purpose

Lady Liberty’s significance extends beyond what she represents, as her unmistakable silhouette has become an indelible and profound visual. Her torch, crown and commanding presence make her instantly recognizable, giving the ManhattanLife brand a memorable connection to an American landmark.

Her place within the ManhattanLife brand is a reminder of where we’ve been and where we’re headed. In this way, Lady Liberty brings our distinctive story to life through an image that feels established yet forward-looking, creating a bond between our history and the future we are always building.

More than an iconic image for ManhattanLife, Lady Liberty continues to represent our enduring commitment to the people and communities we serve.

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Works Cited

National Park Service. Statue of Liberty Facts. July 2026. https://www.nps.gov/stli/learn/statue-of-liberty-facts.htm