How Consuelo VANDERBILT, the American Heiress, SAVED Blenheim Palace

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Julie has a huge interest in the American heiresses that came over to Britain during the period called The Gilded Age – c.1870 – 1910. That’s when over 100 American heiresses married into the British Aristocracy, and 60 of those married first born sons. One of those 60 was Consuelo Vanderbilt. She was born in New York in 1877 and married the 9th Duke of Marlborough in 1895. Still a teenager, Consuelo had to say goodbye to her home country, to her family and marry the 9th Duke – someone she hardly knew. When she arrived at Blenheim, she must’ve been completely overwhelmed with the vast scale of the palace. During that period, Blenheim didn’t have all the modern amenities that Consuelo was used to, With her immense wealth, Consuelo helped modernise and save Blenheim Palace for future generations.

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Thanks everybody!
xx Julie, Viscountess Hinchingbrooke

[AmericanViscountess]

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[monicatindercosmos]

Without the women of the Gilded Age, who brought with them enormous wealth, many of the historical homes dotting the English countryside would be in ruin today.

[mrskenscott]

We dont hear enough about poor Consuelo.
Thank you Julie.
Love to you from New Hampshire USA.

[kristenjmaddux]

THIS IS THE JULIE TOUR I’VE BEEN WAITING FOR! 🎉 I’m fascinated by the Gilded Age and can you believe when I watched another documentary on Blenheim, they didn’t even mention Consuelo? As an American, that’s the main point lol!! Thank you, Julie, for such a stunning episode of a jaw-dropping home and heart wrenching story. No one could have done it better. ❤

[terryheatwole]

Lady Henrietta was ever so kind to show the family quarters. The Veruda portrait is amazing, hinting of impressionist influence; a treasure. Thank you.

[frommybenchpin]

Consuelo Vanderbilt was forced into a loveless marriage, what she did was amazing but at the expense of her happiness I believe.

[jennsadventures]

Vanderbilt and Spencer-Churchill ancestry is quite a story to be told. Thank you for a look inside.

[janetdoten]

Yes, thankful for Julie sharing these historic women and their families so much history to learn about

[cathielem]

When I was at Blenheim last year, I actually captured a ghost in a photo. The palace is incredible, the video doesn’t give you the splendid emotional feeling you get when you go thru this marvellous historical piece of art.❤

[codymadsen]

Maybe Julian Fellows next project could be a show about Consuelo Vanderbilt???😮😮 Or even Alberta🎉🎉🎉🎉 I love these videos where Julie goes and visit these houses (including Hinchingbrooke and Mapperton) Here in America we can see these places and see/appreciate the effort it takes to preserve these places of history and hopefully travel to see them Thank you

[rh]

I have been fascinated with Consuelo for years, so I absolutely loved this episode. Great job!

[dhowe]

I visited Blenheim last year. Spectacular especially the entrance hall. Fun fact about Consuelo and Blenheim: the house has a massive silver centerpiece for the dining room table and Consuelo would have it placed between her and her husband, the 9th Duke, so she wouldn’t have to look at him during dinners. If in vitro fertilization or surrogate pregnancy had existed back then I’m sure that’s how the 10th Duke would have got started.

[LSTEdD]

Can’t wait to watch! I gave tours of Consuelo Vanderbilt’s family Summer home Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island 2000 to 2003. ☀️

[ChristineC-nkfd]

Another amazing adventure with Julie visiting one of England’s historic houses. Her episodes are wonderful. Thank you Julie and thank you to all the owners who are doing their best to preserve these beautiful homes.

[bethbartlett]

Consuela had fallen in love before meeting the Duke, and (the Duke never loved her nor really gave her the respect she deserved for going through with the arrangement.

Because she was so truly in love with another, it broke her heart to have to marry the Duke, as anyone can imagine.

Consuela spent her life, from birth until marriage "satisfying her Mother".

As a Sociologist/Behavioralist I can clearly see that it was her Mother's Insecurities that were being satisfied, her feeling a lack of worthiness.

Because they circumvent Consuela's greater and deeper experiences, her feelings, and what she had to set aside of her own desires (that she deserved to have had) and enter into a marriage that satisfied her Mother and the Duke's and his family's needs, doing so with such Grace, then One can begin to comprehend her inner strength, Higher Mind, fortitude, and what a truly amazing woman she had to be. I can't make this statement well enough to do her justice.

What a woman and a lady.

[lisaharrington]

What a wonderful story! Thank you Julie and Lady Henrietta for sharing it with all of us. 😊❤

[JosieRauss]

I just finished reading The Transatlantic Marriage Bureau, (which had a particular focus on the fate of Consuelo being forced to marry Marlborough), so it was interesting to come across this video and see Blenheim today. I've followed the Mapperton videos for a while; as someone who loves genealogy, history and old homes, it's so gratifying to watch you dive into the rich stories and artifacts in these homes. It seems like a dream, but I know it's a lot of work. Thanks for sharing with us. Perked up to hear you're from a town outside of Chicago—hello from Oak Park!

[magyar]

Again another American Heiress who gave everything to save the home of a family who needed help from someone with money and of course the great can-do attitude Americans have. The British certainly tried but could not save so many homes, their efforts, of course, should be acknowledged and honored, however, without the women of the United States, who married into and financially saved the homes and gave and are giving so much more, well they can never be thanked enough. Wonderful historical video, many thanks!!!

[AlexS-ojqf]

Looking at Blenheim, I can understand how Consuelo disliked it so much. It's more of a Monument rather than a House. Imagine if people furnish The Parthenon and called it home. Considering the houses she grew up with, Blenheim is practically medieval.

Also I notice that Julie tend to "romanticize" Consuelo's story. She's forced into the marriage and her husband used the money to restore this Tomb of Churchill Dynasty without even consulting her. It's unfortunate that she tried to make as if Consuelo willingly use her money to restore the house, when in reality she probably would rather to keep it and lived back home in America.

[notnek]

The Duke’s first cousin the 8th Duke of Roxburghe also married an American heiress Mary Goelet in 1903. And they had a very happy marriage.