Caroline Astor, The Queen of Gilded Age New York

Caroline was born into old money, and married into the richest new money family in the world. She became the ultimate Queen bee, determining who was and was NOT part of the illustrious 400, the high society of gilded age New York. A coveted invitation to one of her balls was the ultimate achievement for social climbers. Those left off the list might as well catch the next train to Toledo. Like her parties, her feuds were the stuff of legend and sparked major developments in New York City real estate. But under the shimmering veneer was a woman troubled by an unhappy marriage and personal insecurities. Let’s take a journey from her well heeled origin in the oldest part of the City, past the Fifth Avenue Landmarks from wench she once reigned over Manhattan, to her final resting place in the heights. Along the way we’ll get to know the real Mrs. Astor.

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Music: Butterflies in Love by Sir Cubworth

[lilymarinovic]

I find it hilarious that her own family didn't meet the snobbish standards she imposed on others.

[SA-bcjw]

William Waldorf Astor bought Hever Castle, southeast of London. It was the home of Anne Boleyn. He restored it, had a village built and beautiful gardens installed. Spectacular grounds.

[irismckay]

It's interesting to see how much the real Mrs. Astor resembles the Mrs. Astor in The Gilded Age series. Thank God, we've evolved as a country. Even though snobbery still exists, it's not admired and is generally known as behavior belonging to people with weak egos.

[SilverLady]

The horror of it!! He EARNED his money and didn't inherit it lol that was the best line.

[mrfearsmom]

I recently read a story about a Parisian apartment frozen in the late 1800s that was discovered somewhere around the 2010s. Apparently the woman had fled the apartment when Germany invaded France and never returned. It was paid for by the family's wealth and was found only after the granddaughter had passed. I will try and find this article for you and share on x

[ScreamingAllTheTime]

Caroline’s my 5th Cousin 4x removed. My mothers maiden name was Schermerhorn, but they didn’t stick around near the city or Albany. Her third Great Grandfather Symon Jacobse and my seventh Great Grandfather Jacob Jacobse were brothers.

Funny how the same name can go down such different paths. I’ve probably traced dozens of Schermerhorn lines and it’s quite interesting how one man started so many different lineages

[PokhrajRoy.]

You’re right to call her ‘Mean Girl’. I can totally imagine an edit of ‘The Gilded Age’ where Mrs. Astor enters with Missy Elliott playing in the background.

[KayoEll]

Imagine the good that could be done in the world if all mean girl energy was redirected toward improving the human condition (for the betterment of the people being served, not as a bid for more power in some complicated "mean girl does good to elevate her social capital" way).

[teamceline]

Wait, Schermerhorn? Van Cordtland? Knickerbocker? Well dang, now I know finally where all these street/ train station names came from 🤷🏾‍♀️

[rowennoonan]

Hi Lindsay, I have a video suggestion for you: Marozia of Tusculum. She was an extremely powerful woman in Rome in the 900s. She was the lover of one pope, mother of another, and ancestor of six more! She hand selected three popes and had three husbands. Useful charts did a video on her, I will link

[martinalewis]

Every time they mention John Jacob Astor my mind keeps going to “John Jacob Jingelheimer Schmidt …..”, the song my beloved mother in law used to sing to her grandchildren. ❤️😆

[iantempleton]

Imagine being such a snob that you snub and look down on people for becoming a millionaire on their own through hard work and dedication, while all you had to do was be born into a filthy rich family…

[padenable]

Snobbery such as hers makes me laugh, you can have an extensive and impeccable pedigree and still not have two nickels to rub together. Wealth can bring so much strife and people like to use you for it. I feel sorry for social icons and wonder if they ever experienced the actual wealth of honest human warmth.

[rafaelyaguaro]

What I absolutely love about Mrs. Astor story is her prophetic parting interview. She knew a new Queen would rise after she was gone but not only one rose but three! Mrs. Astor place was not an easy task to fulfill and it took three women to control New York society in her place.

[TheLeslieMichelle]

When I was a kid, I was fascinated by the stories of high society here in New York. The Astors were fascinating to me because of all the parties they had. There is a picture here in one of the Upstate NY museums showing the get together of all these families in their finery. I wouldn't be surprised if Caroline arranged it. The picture is a sight to see.

[crystalschweitzer]

I get reminded all the time that this wasnt that long ago. My great grandparents were alive during her downfall.

[WifeDesignLife]

Doesn’t matter whether you’re Mrs. Astor or Henry VIII, you can’t stop time from moving forward. Progress happens. Your only choice is to move along with it or get left behind.

[creatrixZBD]

I appreciate that you are a real person, and that you don’t use a robot voice. Thanks for the video

[golden]

As an art historian I really appreciated your use of images, which I know will have involved significant research.

[cuteButKindaDeadlyBreloom]

She would make an incredible vampire villain for a gilded age historical drama