What happened to America's Gilded Age Families | The Astors

Have you ever wondered what happened to the #GildedAge families of America? Then stick around!

[christopherstephenjenksbsg]

I had the pleasure of meeting Brooke Astor several times as I consulted with several of the charities she helped support. Wonderful lady -- an old-fashioned grande dame -- and very, very gracious!

[joemackey]

Like the saying: The first generation makes the money, the second generation enjoys the money, the third generation loses the money.

[cliffhoelzer]

I live in a brick Victorian Mansion in old Louisville. It was built in 1890 and has 5000 sf. Most of the interior is from 1890. Stain glass, tigerwood floors mahogany 10 ft foors, etc!! They really could build in the guilded age!!

[RedfishUK]

Fun Fact: On the British Branch - the 2nd Viscount Astor - was a MP but when he inherited his father's title he moved to the House of Lords, so his wife Nancy Astor was elected in his place in 1919 and became the first Women to sit in the House of Commons as women (over 30) got the vote in 1918
Although an Irish MP Constance Markievicz had been elected in 1918 but her party Sinn Fein didnt take their seats - they still don't

[tr]

Brook Astor in the 70's was the queen of NY high society and was a great philanthropist. She showed the rich how to spend their money. Clearly she took a lesson from the great families of the Italian Renaissance and the city is better for it.

[vintagelife]

This was awesome! Ive been seeing these peoples houses all over the country. The Newport mansions are the epitome of gilded age. The biltmore down south is one of the best. Even been to the originator or the term guilded ages home. Out of all of them it would be Mark Twains home I would personally live in. Im sooo looking forward to more of these. Ive even been to the private Vanderbilt tomb. Its fascinating to follow the peoples lives that shaped America.

[Kelly_Wren]

Your sense of humor is *chef's kiss*
So glad I found your channel. <3

[michellecornum]

Wow! How sad. How fast it all goes away. The money, the houses -- the clothes. Very interesting.

[here_we_go_again]

It was Brooke's grandson who blew the whistle on his father's and his ("socialite" -- in reality,
"social-climbing") stepmother's fraud. They left Brooke alone in her NYC home without a
care or hiring a skilled nurse to look after her! They also almost emptied her country home
(not a cabin in the woods by any means) of its artwork and antiques!

[Michelle-bkuq]

This was fantastic! Just found your channel and can't wait to watch more!!

[rabbitsrule]

The English one owned hever castle and made it look beautiful, I went today and apparently the queen mother was courted there by Bertie aka the king ie parents of queen Elizabeth.

[bigreddallas]

Love your delivery and humor. Definitely subscribed. I enjoy history as a hobby, so this is right up my alley. Thank you.

[stevezytveld]

Great video. Thank you. Amazing how the grandkids always waste perfectly good money on lawyers in an attempt to get even more money than they're due. Good for the women for making so many donations.
- Cathy (&, accidently, Steve), Ottawa/Bytown/Pimisi

[beautyforumbyangela]

I’m so pleased I discovered your channel. Looking forward to enjoying all of your videos. Cheers 😉🌹

[syedmazharhasan]

If I had HBO max, I would have happily shared my password with you 😁

Nice initiation of series. Keep it up 😊

[melissam.]

If you haven't found the info yet, Charlene Marshall Astor is currently 77 years old (she was born in July 1945).

[luislaplume]

Jacob Astor was the richest man in America when he died in 1848. There is a street named Astor Place where a subway station with that name and it is 1 block away from where my late mother paid her union dues. I ought to know. I am a New Yorker who grew up in NYC during the Mad Men era of the 1960s.

[TomJosephi]

Another wsy the American Astor Family got rich is because they owned a lot of New York real estate, including slum property. When Vincent Astor found out he was getting rich from slum property, he sold it and gave the proceeeds to charity. Vincent Astor and President Franklin D. Roosevelt were distant cousin's. FDR's step brother married Helen Astor. They were also good friends and they went deep sea fishing on Vincent's yacht.

[FreeSpirit]

There are many wealthy people I know or have known. I'm comfortable with my income. Having learned a lot from wealthy friends, then, applied it, I do okay.
The two lessons I learned from my friends are to remain humble, neither dish out nor accept BS.

[marientwistle]

Thank you for doing these videos! I’ve been obsessed with The Gilded Age and the people who were involved since I’ve been little. I’ve read every book that’s been written on the subject and it’s all fascinating. I’ve just finished The Second Mrs. Astor which was about JJ IV second wife Madeleine. She was with him when the Titanic sunk. She was 5 months pregnant. She lived and had a son. Very fascinating book!