Zara Eileen Hore-Ruthven, Countess of Gowrie (20 January 1879 – 19 July 1965), nėe Zara Eileen Pollok, was the Irish-born wife of the 1st Earl of Gowrie, Governor of South Australia 1928–34, Governor of New South Wales 1935–36 and the longest serving Governor-General of Australia 1936–44.

She was renowned for her work in promoting the welfare of children in Australia, and the Lady Gowrie Child Centres were named in her honour.

Zara Eileen Pollok was born in County Galway, Ireland in 1879. On 1 June 1908 she married Alexander Hore-Ruthven, over the objections of her family, who considered him “the impecunious son of an impoverished family, with indifferent prospects”.

In 1928 her husband was appointed Governor of South Australia and was knighted. In January 1935 her husband became Governor of New South Wales, and in January 1936 Governor-General.

In the 1930’s Lady Gowrie and others lobbied extensively for the establishment of centres across Australia to improve the health and wellbeing of Australian children, particularly disadvantaged children. Starting from around 1939, the Lady Gowrie Child Centres in the state capital cities were established by the Commonwealth Government.