Brooke Astor | Fame, Fortune & Elder Financial Abuse

Before there was Kim Kardashian, Nicole Richie, and Paris Hilton, in the 1940’s the socialite celebrity who was famous for being famous was Brooke Astor. By the time she died in 2007 at the age of 105, she was best remembered for two things: First, she was a philanthropist of the first order who donated and raised money for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, The New York Public Library and many other important institutions. Speaking of her philanthropy, Brooke once famously said: “Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around.”
Second, and unfortunately for her legacy of good work, she is also remembered for being the victim of elder financial abuse.
Brooke had only one child in her life, a son named Anthony (aka Tony), who was born when she was 22. Unfortunately for her, Tony was to make her final years bitter, unpleasant and scandalous.
Brooke’s first marriage ended in divorce in 1930, and two years later she married a wealthy investment banker named Charles Marshall. It was a good match and Brooke’s son, Tony, took Marshall’s last name. She and Marshall were happily married for 20 years until he died, following which she married Vincent Astor, the primary heir to the Astor family fortune.

[BrigidVeganSamhain]

thank you for showing compassion for the abused and voiceless

[paulsharkey]

I lived right down the block from the Brooke Astor Estate in Briarcliff Manor, NY.

[mrsbluesky]

Tony was an elderly man himself. Why didn’t he have more compassion for his own elderly mother ?!

[cunderw]

The fact that these families decide to just donate all their fortunes after passing is crazy. And then with that donated money they build a museum/school/hospital as a means to make more money off the very generous donation.

[elvisjordan]

MRS. VINCENT ASTOR STILL HAS UNCLAIMED IN A STORAGE FACILLITY IN QUEENS 38-20 REVIEW AVE Long Island CITY, NY 11101.

[chadkosakowski]

Brooke Astor was not famous until she married Vincent in 54 she lied fallow til his death in 59 then her fame and notoriety blossomed

[Unxpekted]

Ahh good ol' bloodline of the Illuminati

[JonBologna]

Defrauding his own mother for money. Wow.

[djzpt]

You have great videos. Please, please, please the next time you decide to do another one, call me. Let me do it for you. The audio sounds like you are talking through a tin can! It's irritating.