The Vanderbilt family, an American family of Dutch origin, gained prominence during the Gilded Age. Their success began with Cornelius Vanderbilt’s shipping and railroad empires, which expanded into various areas of industry and philanthropy. Cornelius Vanderbilt was born on May 27, 1794, in Staten Island, New York, USA, United States. He was best known as the patriarch of the socially prominent Vanderbilt family of New York and as the founder of the Vanderbilt family.
The Vanderbilt family tree spans from William H. Vanderbilt to his grandson, William Kissam Vanderbilt II. This lineage includes a range of entrepreneurs and businessmen, including Anderson Cooper, Amy Vanderbilt, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Gertrude Vanderbilt, Gloria Vanderbilt, and others. The Vanderbilt family tree also includes several notable members, such as Anderson Cooper, Amy Vanderbilt, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Gertrude Vanderbilt, and Gloria Vanderbilt.
The Vanderbilt family tree includes several notable members, including Cornelius Vanderbilt II (1843–1899), Margaret Louisa Vanderbilt (1845–1924), William Kissam Vanderbilt (1849–1920), and Emily Thorn. The Vanderbilt family tree also includes the lives of William Henry Vanderbilt, George Washington Vanderbilt II, and Gloria Laura.
The Vanderbilt family tree also includes the descendants of Cornelius Vanderbilt, who built grand mansions on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The Vanderbilt family tree also includes the descendants of William Henry Vanderbilt, who died in 1914.
In summary, the Vanderbilt family is a significant and influential American family that gained prominence during the Gilded Age through their shipping and railroad empires. The family tree includes many notable members, including Cornelius Vanderbilt, William Henry Vanderbilt, and Gloria Laura.
| Article | Description | Site |
|---|---|---|
| The Ultimate Vanderbilt Family Tree | Join us as we explore the Vanderbilt family tree, tracing the roots of their success and the lasting imprint they’ve made on the American landscape. | kintree.app |
| Cornelius Vanderbilt : Family tree by Tim DOWLING … | Spouses, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren · M William Henry Vanderbilt 1870-1892 · M Cornelius Vanderbilt 1873-1942 · F Gertrude Vanderbilt 1875- … | gw.geneanet.org |
| Family tree of Cornelius VANDERBILT | Cornelius Vanderbilt’s two surviving daughters were Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney (1875–1942) and Countess Gladys Vanderbilt Széchenyi (1886–1965). | en.geneastar.org |
📹 The Vanderbilt’s: The Ruthless Family Who Built America
Uncover the captivating rise and fall of the Vanderbilt business empire! From humble beginnings to the richest family in America, …
Who Owns The Vanderbilt Mansion?
Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site, located in Hyde Park, New York, is a distinguished historic house museum designated as a National Historic Landmark in 1940 and operated by the National Park Service. In contrast, Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, is the largest privately owned house in the U. S., built in the Châteauesque style for George Washington Vanderbilt II from 1889 to 1895, covering 178, 926 sq ft. The estate has remained in the Vanderbilt family since its construction, currently managed by The Biltmore Company, led by Bill Cecil Jr., the great-grandson of George Vanderbilt.
Gladys and Paul Szápáry, descendants of Cornelius Vanderbilt II, recently vacated their third-floor apartment in another historical Vanderbilt property. William Kissam Vanderbilt had three homes designed by Richard Morris Hunt, including "Petit Chateau" in Manhattan. Today, the Cecil family continues to oversee Biltmore, ensuring its legacy while managing operations through the involvement of the fourth and fifth generations of the Vanderbilt descendants.
The surrounding land was recently sold, as confirmed by tax records, further securing the estate's commercial potential. Both locations reflect the opulence and historical significance of the Vanderbilt family.
Are The Vanderbilts Still A Rich Family?
The Vanderbilt family, once emblematic of America's Gilded Age wealth and philanthropy, has seen its fortune largely dissipate by the mid-20th century. Known for extravagant spending on mansions and fine art, the descendants of Cornelius Vanderbilt faced financial decline, with some family members reportedly dying in poverty. Once the richest dynasty in the U. S., their current wealth pales in comparison to the past glories. Despite this decline, their legacy continues through influential institutions like Vanderbilt University.
Notably, within thirty years of Cornelius's death in 1877, none of his descendants remained among America's wealthiest, and by 1973, a family reunion revealed that none of the 120 attendees were millionaires. Anderson Cooper, a prominent descendant, has stated he won't inherit any of his mother’s significant fortune. Cornelius's fortune, which once reached the equivalent of $185 billion, was squandered over generations, serving as a cautionary tale about wealth preservation. The Vanderbilts' story illustrates the swift changes in fortune and the lessons learned from their rise and fall in American society.
Who Is The Last Descendant Of Vanderbilt?
Gloria Laura Vanderbilt (1924) is the last significant descendant of Cornelius Vanderbilt, a renowned shipping and railroad magnate of the early 19th century. Her lineage connects to the Republic of Salé through her great-great-grandmother, Abigail Southard, tracing back to Jan Janszoon and Anthony Janszoon van Salee, early settlers of 17th-century New Amsterdam. Gloria, daughter of Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, is also mother to Anderson Hays Cooper, a prominent contemporary descendant, born to writer Wyatt Emory Cooper.
The Vanderbilt family is among the wealthiest in U. S. history, established through shipping, railroads, and real estate ventures. With the passing of significant family figures like Cornelius Vanderbilt II in 1899, the family's influence waned. However, notable descendants include Cooper, actor Timothy Olyphant, musician John P. Hammond, and screenwriter James Vanderbilt. The third generation of Vanderbilts continued to shape the family's legacy, yet today, Gloria remains the most recognizable figure carrying the Vanderbilt name, linking the past to present prominence.
Is The Vanderbilt Family Still Wealthy Today?
The Vanderbilt family was once one of the wealthiest dynasties in America, boasting approximately 50% of the U. S. Treasury during the Gilded Age. However, within just 50 years of Cornelius Vanderbilt's death in 1877, this immense fortune eroded. The heirs, having inherited vast wealth, engaged in lavish lifestyles, extravagant parties, and unnecessary purchases that surpassed their income. By 30 years post-Commodore’s death, none of the Vanderbilts were among America’s richest.
Once the epitome of the American Dream, the family's fortune dwindled due to poor financial decisions, high-profile divorces, and mismanagement. Despite these declines, some descendants, such as CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, still maintain considerable wealth, though many are no longer millionaires. At the time of his passing, Cornelius's fortune was valued at $100 million (approximately $2. 5 billion today), more than what U. S. Treasury held. Today, while the Vanderbilt name remains influential, their financial prominence has faded considerably.
The legacy of the Vanderbilts serves as a lesson about wealth preservation and management across generations, showcasing the contrasting paths from extreme riches to decline, demonstrating the importance of prudent financial choices and the impact of lifestyle on lasting wealth.
Why Is Anderson Cooper'S Last Name Not Vanderbilt?
Anderson Cooper, the renowned journalist and son of Gloria Vanderbilt, reflects on his childhood and the impact of his family's legacy. Despite his connection to the Vanderbilt dynasty, known for its immense wealth and influence, Cooper does not expect to inherit any of this fortune. Following his mother's passing from stomach cancer at age 95, Cooper has made it clear that Gloria clarified he would not receive an inheritance, as her successful ventures and personal wealth have ensured she left him nothing.
He finds solace in exploring the stories of the Vanderbilt women, often overshadowed by their male relatives. Anderson Cooper's upbringing in New York City included prestigious education, yet he often distanced himself from his family's royal image, embracing a more grounded identity. He named his son Wyatt, after his late father, while also honoring his mother, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, through his son’s middle name. Cooper expresses pride in his lineage, yet chooses to focus on his accomplishments and the stories of his family rather than the wealth that could have defined him.
How Did The Vanderbilts Lose Their Fortune?
The Vanderbilt family's financial decline, once America's wealthiest, unfolded gradually from the mid-20th century onwards. Mismanagement, family disputes, extravagant spending, and unsuccessful investments contributed to the loss of their fortune, which stemmed from a flourishing railroad business. Cornelius "Commodore" Vanderbilt, who amassed significant wealth and controlled a substantial portion of the nation’s money by his death in 1877, set a precedent for luxurious living that his heirs followed unwisely.
Despite owning magnificent mansions in New York City, Newport, and North Carolina, most were abandoned, sold, or repurposed. His descendants struggled with the growing financial pressures of market fluctuations and inheritance divisions. While William Henry Vanderbilt initially doubled the family fortune to over $200 million, subsequent generations lacked the business acumen to maintain or grow their wealth. Instead, they indulged in lavish lifestyles without consideration for sustainable financial practices.
The Vanderbilt saga serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of excess and the importance of prudent management, ultimately illustrating how even the most affluent families can squander their wealth across generations.
What Is The Vanderbilt Family Tree Today?
The Vanderbilt family is a prominent American dynasty that rose to fame during the Gilded Age, originating from Cornelius Vanderbilt's shipping and railroad ventures. Cornelius, born in 1794 in Staten Island, New York, transformed his modest beginnings into substantial wealth, culminating in an estate valued at $100 million at his death in 1877 (approximately $2. 5 billion today). His descendants, once considered the wealthiest in America, have seen their fortune decline over the generations.
Notable contemporary descendants include American art historian John Wilmerding, journalist Anderson Cooper (son of Gloria Vanderbilt), actor Timothy Olyphant, musician John P. Hammond, and screenwriter James Vanderbilt, among others.
The Vanderbilts built opulent mansions on Fifth Avenue in New York City, leaving a lasting mark on American society. Today, Biltmore, created by George Washington Vanderbilt, continues as a family business operated by his fourth and fifth-generation descendants. The family tree spans from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, featuring numerous entrepreneurs and socialites. The Vanderbilt legacy is further explored in the book "Vanderbilt: The Rise and Fall of an American Dynasty," dedicated to Cooper's son, Wyatt.
Why Isn'T Anderson Cooper'S Last Name Vanderbilt?
Anderson Cooper, son of the late Gloria Vanderbilt, discussed his family's history in a recent interview. Vanderbilt, who passed away at 95 from stomach cancer, was part of American royalty, being the great-great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt, a prominent 19th-century business tycoon. Despite his familial wealth and upbringing, Cooper has clarified that he will not inherit any of the Vanderbilt fortune. His mother explicitly stated that there was no inheritance planned for him, a notion that Cooper wholeheartedly accepts.
The 52-year-old journalist has always prioritized earning his own income, distancing himself from the privileges associated with his family's name. Through his career in media, Cooper has established his own identity, opting not to rely on the lavish heritage of the Vanderbilts. Now a father to Wyatt Morgan, he feels compelled to share his life experiences with his son, emphasizing the importance of self-made success over inherited wealth.
📹 Secrets of The Vanderbilt Family (Documentary)
This captivating full-length documentary unfolds the remarkable story of one of America’s most illustrious families – The …
According to an ancient Chinese proverb, “Wealth does not pass three generations” — the first generation builds the wealth; the second generation is inspired to preserve it by witnessing the hard work of their parents; and the third generation, having never witnessed the work that went into the creation of this wealth, squanders it.
As this article pointed out, there were a number of immense Vanderbilt mansions once in existence, and this emphasizes how many American cities formerly had at least one or two impressive local estates, and usually entire upper-class neighborhoods of big ornate homes. It’s amazing to me how short-lived so much of this was; the big houses turned into schools or churches or even rooming houses within a few decades, and many of the finest neighborhoods turned into the most rundown districts by the middle of the 20th century. So just like the Vanderbilt fortune as a whole, the other signs of great wealth in many locations became trashed or are long gone.
The family (Vanderbilt-Cecil) still own the Biltmore Estate, easily the best home in all of the Americas, North or South. The huge mansion and grounds are worth a conservative $3 billion. It is also the most visited winery in all of the US – including the famous Napa Valley ones. They are not poor in case anyone is thinking starting a Vanderbilt crowd-funding page. If you’ve ever been to Biltmore (and King Charles warmly approved of the architecture) it is breath-taking. They filmed the movie Richie Rich there is that tells you anything. The US Forest Service owns 86,000 of the original 110,000 acres and it’s called Pisgah National Forest. The family owns the valuable house and estate grounds to this day.
This was a great synopsis of the Vanderbilt family. Because I have been to the Biltmore house a few times the Vanderbilt name as always captivated me. Going to the house is the best way to get a visual representation of the wealth the Vanderbilt’s once had. Even though George Vanderbilt III was inherited the money that his Grandfather had inherited to his Father, there is still an overwhelming awww of the amount of wealth that the family had. This is a place to where you can actually see how one could not really understand the wealth that the Vanderbilt’s actually had. One could actually see why so many people’s jaws drop just looking at the investment of this home for the Vanderbilt family. If someone gets the opportunity they should take the advantage and tour this majestic house.
It’s kind of depressing how people are saying “they squandered their wealth” while bemoaning the 1% hoarding all the money. If you have enough money left when you die that your loved ones don’t need to pay to put you into the ground (or for your preferred post-death treatment), you’ve done plenty. When your wealth is measured in the same ball park as your home nation’s GDP, you’ve gone too far and your lineage should spend the obscene wealth so it returns into circulation.
The one Vanderbilt that I think it would’ve been cool to mention would’ve been Willie K II, he was an avid auto racer in the early days of motorsport, we’re talking before World War I. He started it was called the Vanderbilt cup which was one of the first major races internationally, and has quite the history with some legendary names competing in it
No mention of Frederick Vanderbilt, the son of William Henry and grandson of Cornelius. He was the only one of William Henry’s children to actually end his life with more money than when he started. He was given one of the smallest inheritances of all, but yet grew it, more than tenfold over the course of his long life, building the modern, currently still standing Grand Central Station, and managing those railroads. Meanwhile, his brothers, all ultimately squandered, or at the very least died, poorer than when they started.
I read an article that said there was a framed letter in a New England B+B that once was a vacation home of the Vanderbilts. Cornelius Vanderbilt who made the fortune had written it to a friend and in it he was lamenting to the friend that he thought he was doing the greatest thing he could do for his children in making a fortune. At that later point in his life he had realized it was the worst.
Historical correction from right within the first two minutes of the article: Bezos, Jobs/Wozniak, Gates, Zuckerberg, and even Larry Page & Sergei Brin (the founders of Google) didn’t start from nothing. They all got generous start-up capital for their times from their respective parents who are already well-to-do. Even Elon Musk benefited from generational wealth, as his parents owned an emerald mine in South Africa and profited a LOT from severely underpaid labor. The “self-made billionaire” is entirely a myth as old as capitalism itself.
they aren’t the only super wealthy family from that era that helped build modern day America Carnegie Ford Getty firestone Tires Buick Leyland etc. Leyland family being the founders of Cadillac & Lincoln motor companies and there’s still a branch of the Vanderbilts around today including journalist Anderson Cooper the son of late fashion designer Gloria Vanderbilt and the University in Nashville TN is named after the family
Something largely not lost on historical consideration, even if not in the terms seeing a personal consideration of the family, a culture virtually form directly as a response to good things being started, and all government largely figure around the social interest and economy can be co-ordinated, and these modern corporations are different immediately for the fact that no one person takes credit in the sense the distinction was current. Countries in substantive economy co-ordination can by their nature, be built.
More of these so called founding families should have lost everything, because these were the largest poluters, the largest air,water and land poluters. The Rockefellers and their steel mills poluted the air right into the 70/s, when I went on a family trip in the 70/s driving south from Ontario,I was met by smokestacks all billowing thick black smoke, I just wonder how long after the 70/s this practice of poluting continued, and if anyone was held accountable, like the owners of all those smokestacks.
FYI – basic English grammar: an apostrophe “s” at the end of a noun indicates the genetive case (e.g. possessive). So the title of this article means “the …something… of the Vanderbilt. This is such a rookie mistake that one can’t have any confidence in the content of the article itself. If they get such a simple thing wrong, what else is wrong? Grammar, guys. Seriously. It’s just the basics.
The name still carries some privilege. Anderson Cooper seems like a nice guy, but let’s be honest he got his job on his name. Just like Chris Cuomo from his father’s and brother’s name. Imagine all of the journalists that have spent decades in their jobs from ivy leagues schools that were turned down.
I had this weird epiphany when I was 13 years old smoking weed and I was perusal the news for some reason and I seen Anderson Cooper come on and I just knew from the bottom of my heart. This guy was evil and he was not good. I had no idea who this man was at that time but the older I get I am now 32 years old, and after perusal stuff like this, I know exactly why I felt the way I did back then.
It annoys me when people say that rich people, “built”, so and so house or train station or museum or hotel. No, they didnt. They paid other people to design, build, and decorate these structures; architects, plumbers, electricians, bricklayers, plasterers, tilers, roofers, interior designers, glass-makers, furniture-makers, carpenters,,and so on It would be more accurate – and less classist – to say that they commissioned these structures. We never say that the Michelangelo’s patrons sculpted his masterpieces. We say that his patrons commissioned and paid for them. Why should architect be any diffetent.
I hate it when “job creation” is viewed as philanthropic. It’s not. There is a job that you need done that you can’t do yourself, either because you don’t have the time or expertise, so you hire someone else to do it. LOOK AT ALL THESE JOBS I’M CREATING, I OBVIOUSLY SHOULDN’T HAVE TO PAY TAXES, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITHOUT ME?! YOU SHOULD BE GLAD I’M EVEN HERE, PEASANTS AAAALLLLSOOOO… with all of that money I’m not using to pay taxes, i wondered if it would be okay if i just make some “charitable donations” with shares of the companies i own… It’s okay, it’s not real money, I don’t feel a thing. But, like, maybe, how about because i “donated” $1 million worth of pretend money in shares, I can SELL another $1 million worth of shares and turn that pretend money into real money without having to pay taxes on it. What do you say? It sounds great for me- I mean… us. Sounds great for us…