Brooke Astor, born in 1902 in New Hampshire, was originally Roberta Brooke Russell. She led a peripatetic childhood because her father was the 16th Commandant of the Marine Corps. She spent her early years living in such exotic places as Haiti, Mexico, and China.
Brooke Astor’s First Marriage
Astor dropped out of high school to marry her first great love at just 17 years old. It was a terrible mistake for the dreamy school girl. John Dryden Kuser allegedly abused her, had affairs and spent much of his time drinking. He told her that the marriage was a failure within a year.
They had one child, Anthony, in 1924, but the marriage only lasted 11 years. Brooke divorced Kuser, who became a state senator, in 1930.
Brooke Astor’s Second Marriage to Charles H. Marshall
In 1932 Brooke married Charles H. Marshall, the senior partner in an investment firm. This was a much happier marriage and Anthony changed his surname to Marshall in tribute to his new stepfather.
Brooke worked as a nurse to veterans during World War Two. Later she became a Features Editor for House & Garden magazine.
She also wrote novels and memoirs, although she is remembered mostly for her extensive charity work after her third marriage.
Brooke Astor’s Third Marriage to Vincent Astor
Vincent Astor was the son of John Jacob Astor who died in the sinking of the Titanic. He left Vincent, who was only 20, a great fortune, including millions in real estate and extensive holdings in other industries.
Legend has it that Vincent’s second wife, ‘Minnie’, arranged the marriage between Vincent Astor and Brooke Marshall. According to articles in the New York Social Diary, Minnie apparently wanted a divorce from the rather moody Astor after fifteen years but Vincent told her that he didn’t want to be lonely. She thought that the flirtatious, fun-loving Brooke would make Vincent an ideal wife.
It is still apparently widely thought in New York social circles that Brooke married Vincent for his money. However, she refused his first proposals and she wrote in her memoirs that she was lonely after the death of Charles Marshall in 1952.
Brooke Astor’s Charity Work
After Vincent Astor died in 1959 Brooke devoted herself to her beloved charity work.
Her favoured charities mostly related to New York causes, such as the New York Public Library, the New York Hospital, New York landmarks and churches in the city. She gave away about $195 million.
Brooke Astor’s Last Years
As well as thieving from her estate, Astor’s son allegedly abused his mother, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease by making her live in squalor and not providing her with adequate care.
She died in 2007. Her epitaph, which she chose, reads: ‘I had a wonderful life.’
Sources
Vincent, the Astor Who Gave Away the Money
Brooke Astor, First Lady of New York, dies at 105
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