Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English - unacknowledged

~ adj 1 not generally or publicly known for something that should be rewarded, thanked, or praised  (Women's work in the home tends to be both unpaid and unacknowledged.) 2 the unacknowledged leader/authority etc a leader etc who is not officially or publicly recognised  (Grandma was the unacknowledged boss of the family.) 3 ignored or not noticed  (The tap on the door went unacknowledged for some time.)