In 2006, when the University of Applied Arts in Budapest adopted the name Moholy-Nagy, Hattula placed her trust in the institution, believing it could uphold the principles and vision her father championed as a pioneering educator. That same year, she became the first recipient of the newly founded Moholy-Nagy Award. 

Born on 11 October 1933 in Berlin to László and Sibyl Moholy-Nagy, Hattula emigrated to the United States with her family in 1937. She earned a degree in history from the University of Michigan, followed by a degree in anthropology from the University of Chicago. Her career focused on the study of Maya culture, and her archaeological research, particularly her work on obsidian artefacts, earned international recognition.   

In 2003, Hattula founded the Moholy Foundation to preserve her father’s intellectual legacy and ensure his oeuvre remained accessible for future research. Today, the foundation’s board includes members closely connected to MOME, such as cultural strategist and MOME International Advisory Board member András Szántó, and Hungarian-Canadian art historian and Moholy-Nagy Award recipient Oliver A. I. Botar, a professor and associate director at the University of Manitoba’s School of Art. 

Hattula maintained strong ties to Hungary throughout her life, actively supporting the work of the Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design (MOME) and helping carry forward Moholy-Nagy’s vision.    

She is survived by her two sons, three grandchildren, and extended family in the United States, Germany, and Hungary. A life devoted to science, family, and human connections, Hattula’s contributions stand as a testament to her father’s legacy and her own profound achievements. She will live on in our hearts.