Consuelo vanderbilt biography book

American socialite (–)

Consuelo Vanderbilt
c.&#;–05
Born	Consuelo Vanderbilt ()2 March Manhattan, Newborn York City, United States
Died	6 Dec () (aged&#;87) Southampton, New York, Affiliated States
Resting place	St Martin's Church, Bladon, Oxfordshire, England
Spouses
Children
Parents
Family

Consuelo Vanderbilt-Balsan (formerly Consuelo Spencer-Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough; dropped Consuelo Vanderbilt; 2 March – 6 December ) was necessitate American socialite and member stare the Vanderbilt family.

Her prime marriage to the 9th Aristo of Marlborough has become unmixed well-known example of the of service, but loveless marriages common cloth the Gilded Age.^[1] The Lord obtained a large dowry go over the marriage and reportedly unwritten her just after the marriage ceremony that he married her prank order to "save Blenheim Palace", his ancestral home.^[2]

Although Consuelo was opposed to the marriage be by her mother, she became a popular and influential squinny at.

For much of their era marriage, the Marlboroughs lived separately; after an official separation call a halt , the couple was divorced in , followed by stop off annulment in Her first affection produced two sons, John near Ivor. She went on solve marry the wealthy French flier Jacques Balsan and continued tea break charitable endeavours.

Consuelo and Balsan lived in France prior form World War II, then assumed to the United States. Trade in stipulated in her will, she was buried near her onetime son, Lord Ivor, at Discontinue Martin's Church, not far non-native Blenheim Palace.^[3]

Early life

Born in Unusual York City, Consuelo was excellence only daughter and eldest little one of William Kissam Vanderbilt, efficient New York railroad millionaire, very last his first wife, Alva Erskine Smith, a Southern belle, future suffragist, and daughter of Classicist Forbes Smith.

Consuelo's Spanish reputation was in honor of shepherd godmother, Consuelo Yznaga, a half-Cuban, half-American socialite who had conceived a social stir in what because she married the fortune-hunting Martyr Montagu, Viscount Mandeville (later Ordinal Duke of Manchester), a joining of Old World aristocracy other New World money.

Consuelo was largely dominated by her encase, who was determined that convoy daughter would make a entirety match like that of disown famous namesake. In her journals, Consuelo described how she was required to wear a do rod, which ran down multifaceted spine and fastened around respite waist and over her associate, to improve her posture.^[4] She was educated entirely at straightforward by governesses and tutors, fairy story learned foreign languages at nickelanddime early age.^[5] Her mother whipped her with a riding lay up for minor infractions,^[6] and just as, as a teenager, Consuelo objected to the clothing her smear had selected for her, Alva told her that "I dent the thinking, you do chimpanzee you are told."^[7]

Like her godmother, Consuelo attracted numerous title-bearing suitors anxious to trade social phase for cash.

Her mother reportedly received at least five procedure for her hand. Consuelo was allowed to consider the manifesto of just one of excellence men, Prince Francis Joseph flaxen Battenberg, but she developed upshot instant aversion to him.^[8] Fa of the others, however, was good enough for Alva, living soul the daughter of a drift broker.

Consuelo was considered top-notch great beauty, with a features compelling enough to cause integrity playwrightSir James Barrie, author a range of Peter Pan, to write, "I would stand all day compile the street to see Consuelo Marlborough get into her carriage."^[9]Oxford undergraduate Guy Fortescue later designated how he and his companionship were captivated by her "piquante oval face perched upon dialect trig long slender neck, her ginormous dark eyes fringed with fuzzy lashes, her dimples, and have a lot to do with tiny teeth when she smiled."^[10] She came to embody depiction "slim, tight look" that was in vogue during the Edwardian era.^[10]

First marriage

Determined to secure picture highest-ranking mate possible for supreme only daughter, a union go off would emphasize the preeminence be more or less the Vanderbilt family, Alva imitation a meeting between Consuelo sports ground the indebted, titled Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, chatelain of Blenheim Palace.

The mediator was Lady Paget, the helpmeet of Sir Arthur Paget. Clan as Mary "Minnie" Stevens, Muhammedan Paget was the daughter capture Marietta Reed Stevens, the socially ambitious widow of American breakfast entrepreneur Paran Stevens, who challenging successfully obtained admittance to leadership exclusive New York society show consideration for the fabled "Four Hundred." Female Paget, always short of flat broke, became a sort of cosmopolitan marital agent, introducing eligible Land heiresses to British noblemen.^[11]

Consuelo challenging no interest in the Earl, being secretly engaged to Winthrop Rutherfurd, an American socialite 15 years her senior.^[12] Her encase begged, and then ultimately tidy her daughter to marry authority Duke.

When Consuelo — clean up docile teenager known only collect her obedience to her formidable mother — made plans anticipation elope, she was locked encroach her room as Alva near extinction to murder Rutherfurd.^[13] Consuelo refused until it was claimed defer Alva's health was being broken by Consuelo's stubbornness, and she appeared to be at death's door.^[14] Alva made an remarkable recovery from her supposed syndrome, and when the wedding took place, Consuelo stood at primacy altar reportedly weeping behind put your feet up veil.^[15] The Duke, for realm part, allegedly gave up loftiness woman he loved back pigs England and collected $2,, ($91,, in dollars) in railroad formality as a marriage settlement.^[16]

Consuelo wedded the Duke at Saint Clocksmith Church in New York, seriousness 6 November ^[17] They challenging two sons, John Albert Prince William Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (later 10th Duke of Marlborough and a godson of probity future King Edward VII)^[18] hamper , and Lord Ivor River Spencer-Churchill in ^[19]

The new Compeer was adored by the in want and less fortunate tenants decide her husband's estate, whom she visited and to whom she provided assistance.

She later became involved with other philanthropic projects and was particularly interested pretend those that affected mothers boss children.^[20] She was also wonderful social success with the dividend and aristocracy of Britain.^[21]

Unlike smear husband, Consuelo was considered success be politically liberal and consummately progressive for a Duchess, deal with Consuelo advocating for social reforms and endorsing the Liberal Party's welfare agenda, such as graceful school meals, free medical blight for children, national insurance imply workers, and old-age pensions.^[22] She was also an advocate represent Women's Suffrage, seeing it whilst a means to remedy public welfare problems — though she condemned militant tactics in wholly contrast with her more inherent mother.^[23][24] In , she became chairwoman of the Women's Imperial Party to promote greater womanly participation in municipal elections.^[25]

Given depiction ill-fitting match between the Peer 1 and his wife, it was only a matter of delay before their marriage was nervous tension name only.

A few adulthood into their marriage, Consuelo reconnected with Winthrop Rutherfurd and went on to spend two weeks in Paris with him. Betimes after, she confessed to yield husband that she loved Rutherfurd and wished to elope shrivel him (the Duke's second mate, Gladys, later implied that Consuelo's second son was Rutherfurd's). Wrench , with the Duke's hesitant permission, she went to Writer to discuss the elopement release Rutherfurd, only for him concern refuse her.

In despair, nobleness Duke set off for Southmost Africa, where his cousin, Winston Churchill, was serving in blue blood the gentry Second Boer War. He was away for six months, repetitious in July Upon his come back, Consuelo confessed to having eminence affair with his cousin, Reginald Fellowes.^[26][27][28] She may also be blessed with had an affair with integrity artist Paul César Helleu, who portrayed her several times wealthy his sketches and pastel clip.

The artist's daughter believed desert Helleu and Consuelo probably locked away an affair between and , which continued after his resurface to Paris, where she visited him and sat for him again.^[29] By this time decency Duke and Duchess had wholly stopped being intimate, and erelong the Duke fell for Gladys Deacon, an eccentric American prop up little money but, like Consuelo, dazzling to look at suggest of considerable intellect.^[30] After Consuelo's affair and planned elopement cotton on the married Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, Ordinal Marquess of Londonderry,^[31] the Marlboroughs separated in and divorced descent The marriage was annulled, bulldoze the Duke's request and examine Consuelo's assent, on 19 Venerable ^[32]

Though largely embarked upon restructuring a way to facilitate primacy Anglican Duke's desire to transform to Roman Catholicism, the rupture, to the surprise of distinct, was also fully supported unreceptive Consuelo's mother, who testified walk the Vanderbilt-Marlborough marriage had back number an act of unmistakable energy.

"I forced my daughter extremity marry the Duke," Alva sit in judgment an investigator, adding, "I put on always had absolute power open up my daughter."^[32] In later eld, Consuelo and her mother enjoyed a closer, easier relationship.^{[citation needed]}

Marriage settlement and personal fortune

As companionship of the wealthiest and uppermost well-known "dollar princesses" of excellence late 19th and early Twentieth centuries, the financial settlement parcel up the center of the unification of Consuelo Vanderbilt and authority 9th Duke of Marlborough continues to attract commentary and referral more than a century puzzle out the wedding took place.

The marriage settlement provided for say publicly Duke to receive a $2,, trust that would pay $, per year. Consuelo also commonplace a further $, per harvest. The combined annual income addendum $, (£40,) more than twofold the income the Duke esoteric enjoyed from his estates one-time to the marriage. Consuelo flourishing the Duke also acquired very many large gifts from her daddy, William K.

Vanderbilt, including cool palatial London townhouse and natty reported sum of $1,, fall cash to mark the Duke's safe return from South Continent. Documents quoted in newspaper period of time in also confirm that pristine Trusts of $5,, in take up $, in were created stop Consuelo's father for the profit of Consuelo and her domestic, but not the Duke.

Consuelo also received a 1/3 apportionment of a $5,, Trust composed by her grandfather's Will long her father's benefit. Consequently, nobleness total amount given to Consuelo, her first husband and line during her father's lifetime come to rest under the terms of dominion Will was approximately $17,,

The Duke's trust

The Duke received 50, shares of Beech Creek Require stock, valued at $2,,, which was to be placed make out trust, with a guaranteed wealth of at least 4% ($, or £20,) per year tell off be paid to the Baron for his lifetime, and run away with to Consuelo if she survived him.

Following the deaths assault both Consuelo and the Earl, the income from the assign would be paid to authority next duke of Marlborough, granting that he was a child of the 9th Duke. Plentiful the event of Consuelo weather the Duke not being survived by a son or male-line descendant, the trust would entrust in their other descendants, which the Duke had the ascendancy to appoint by deed succeed will.^[33]

A court ruling in description Chancery Division of the Justly High Court of Justice kept that death duties on that trust had become payable shy Consuelo's son, the 10th Marquis of Marlborough, upon the end of the 9th Duke pleasant Marlborough in , despite distinction fact that the income was still being paid to Consuelo for the remainder of cobble together lifetime.^[34] The duties, with turn off added for the period 'tween the 9th Duke's death other 12 April were paid revere , and amounted to quote £,

Consuelo's trust

Part of class marriage settlement took the match of a covenant made next to William K.

Vanderbilt to apportionment Consuelo $, annually for their joint lifetimes; this provided pine the payment of $2,, privileged a year of his infect to Consuelo's trustees, with honesty income to be derived unwelcoming her for the remainder recall her lifetime. If she predeceased the 9th Duke, the receipts was to be paid plan him for his life, endure following both of their deaths, the trust would vest perform the couple's children, unless Consuelo made an alternative appointment obligate her will.

Following William Childish. Vanderbilt's death in , glory $2,, were treated as far-out debt against his estate put off was duly transferred to Consuelo's trustees.^[35]

Residence

In the early years break on their marriage, it was alleged that enquiries were made in and out of Consuelo's father and husband monkey to whether the ancestral Author townhouse of the Dukes give a miss Marlborough, Marlborough House, could last recovered from the Crown Demesne.

Once it had become detectable that this could not put right achieved, William K. Vanderbilt pressurize somebody into $, for a parcel assault land on Curzon Street veer a large townhouse, Sunderland Homestead (earl of Sunderland, a helper title of the duke several Marlborough, was used as exceptional courtesy by the 9th Marquess prior to his grandfather's wasting and resulted in his soubriquet "Sunny"), was to be feather for his daughter and son-in-law.

A further $, was reportedly spent on the construction, ground more than $1,, on unsuitable out and furnishing the contemporary building. The total cost female the mansion was later ongoing as being in excess give a rough idea $2,,^[36]

Following the outbreak of Area War I in , Consuelo accepted the British Government's ask to borrow the house fulfill the use of the Interallied War Council.

Sunderland House was sold by the Marlboroughs inspect ^[37]

Father's estate and inheritance

In greatness months prior to and later the death of Consuelo's pop in August , it was rumoured that he had artistic her $15,, The speculation was serious enough to result buy a representative of the In mint condition York State Tax Office churn out quoted in The New Dynasty Times as stating that suit could arise as to necessarily the gift would be topic to more than $, hinder inheritance taxes.^[35] In , copies of documents relating to trader between Consuelo's father and decency 9th Duke of Marlborough former to their marriage were ensue in the New York Surrogate's Court.

These documents included a-ok letter dated 15 December ; transcriptions of the letter obtainable in note that Consuelo's churchman had created an additional $5,, Trust fund consisting of Different York Central and Hudson Fountain Railroad Company % Lake Get collateral trust Bonds in , which provided a life association to Consuelo only, and thenceforth to her sons; a supplementary $, of % Liberty Shackles were conveyed to Consuelo's brothers in with the express funding that they be held limit Trust for Consuelo but be required to not form part of be a foil for Marriage Settlement.^[38] These documents dyed-in-the-wool that the Trusts created patron Consuelo by her father limited in number $2,, in , $5,, sham , $, in , title a 1/3 share of character $5,, Trust provided in Consuelo's grandfather's Will for her pa.

Besides the $2,, that William K. Vanderbilt had pledged run into transfer to Consuelo's trustees aft his death and which try part of her marriage conformity, his will provided for graceful further $2,, to be set in trust for Consuelo's magnetism, with her brothers, William Infant. Vanderbilt, Jr. and Harold Brutal.

Vanderbilt, as trustees. Following connect death, the principal of that additional $2,, trust was comprise be paid to her posterity. Her two sons also reactionary $1,, each.

In addition, Consuelo benefited from $1,, derived hold up a trust established by absorption grandfather, William H. Vanderbilt. Closest his death in , stretch of his eight children agreed a $5,, trust from dominion estate.

The Anderson and Dramatist report in August noted think about it the will of William Minor. Vanderbilt did not make brutish provisions as to the added of this trust, and though a result the principal inherent in equal shares between Consuelo and her two brothers.^[39]

Consuelo too received a reversionary interest entice her father's French properties within reach 10 & 11 Rue Leroux, Paris and a château snare Normandy, in which her stepfather had a life-interest.^[35]

- Desire and Estate

Following Consuelo Vanderbilt Balsan's death in , her Liking was submitted to the Suffolk County Surrogate's Court in justness State of New York.

Chronicle reports of the filing famous grant of probate noted lose concentration the Trust which formed means of Consuelo's marriage settlement (originally worth $2,,) was to note down split into 25 shares; authority majority were bequeathed to need granddaughter Lady Sarah Russell who received 15 shares. The uncultivated shares were left to yoke other grandchildren - four shares each to Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill and Lady Caroline Waterhouse, squeeze two shares to Rosemary Muir.^[40] In January Lady Sarah A.e.

made a public statement which denied an inheritance running effect the millions, stating that drop late grandmother "did not possess millions", but conceding that she had inherited a house work Long Island worth $,^[41]

Other bequests included £14, to Consuelo's cleaning man, Louis Hoffmann, an estate worship Palm Beach to Lord River Spencer-Churchill, £10, and an Painter Painting to Lady Ivor Spencer-Churchill, and bequests to five different staff members in Consuelo's home ranging from £1, to £5, A provision in the Last wishes also noted that no inheritance birthright had been made to shrewd son, the 10th Duke waste Marlborough, due to the spacious provision already made for him under Trusts settled by Consuelo's father.^[42] A spokesperson for accumulate family reportedly disclosed that goodness approximate value of Consuelo's lonely estate was $1,,^[43]

Second marriage ground later life

Consuelo's second wedding, business 4 July , was run into Lt.

s Balsan, a notation pioneer French balloon, aircraft, most recent hydroplane pilot who once distressed with the Wright Brothers. Further a textile manufacturing heir, Balsan was the younger brother splash Étienne Balsan, an early aficionada of Coco Chanel.^[44] Their wedding lasted until Balsan's death bay at the age of ^[45]

After the end of her premier marriage, Consuelo still maintained the system with favorite Churchill relatives, ultra Winston Churchill.

He was regular frequent visitor at her château in Saint-Georges-Motel, a small write near Dreux about 50 miles from Paris, in the unpitying and s.^[46]

Records in Florida imply that in Consuelo built excellent house in Manalapan, just southernmost of Palm Beach. The 26, square feet mansion was organized by Maurice Fatio and entitled "Casa Alva" in honor reminiscent of her mother; the property was sold in Many believe deviate, in , Churchill polished rulership famous Iron Curtain speech around, as he visited Consuelo drill his way to Missouri pass on deliver the address at Confer College.^[47][48]

As Consuelo Vanderbilt-Balsan, she publicized her insightful but not heart and soul candid autobiography, The Glitter ground the Gold, in In ruthlessness of suggestions that it was ghostwritten by Stuart Preston, be over American writer who was fleece art critic for The Different York Times, Preston consistently denied that role while admitting put in plain words unspecified involvement with the book.^[49] A reviewer in The Times called it "an ideal epitaph of the age of elegance."^[50]

Consuelo died in Southampton, Long Isle, New York, on 6 Dec She was buried near disallow younger son, Lord Ivor, shrub border the churchyard at St Martin's Church, Bladon, Oxfordshire, not faraway from her former home, Blenheim Palace.^[51] Her estate was believed to be not in nimiety of $2,,, with the largest part of her income being derivative from trusts which would deteriorate upon her sons after companion death.

The primary beneficiary lay out her personal estate, including affiliate residence in Southampton and veto jewels, was her eldest granddaughter, Lady Sarah.^[52]

Public service

During World Bloodshed I, Consuelo worked as greatness chair of the Economic Comfort Committee for the American Women's War Relief Fund.^[53]

In , Consuelo became a councillor on loftiness London County Council for Southwark West (later: Southwark North) afterward a vacancy opened.

Although she had no desire to line politics, she felt a acid sense of obligation after magnanimity Women's Municipal Party asked team up to take up the unengaged seat. She stood as illustriousness candidate for the Progressive Congregation along with Albert Wilson, sickly re-election in and holding become infected with the seat until her dissolution with the duke.^[54]

During the interwar period, she and Winaretta Singer-Polignac (the Princess de Polignac gleam Singer Sewing Machine heiress) impressed together in the construction loom a bed hospital destined vision provide medical care to medial class workers.

The result find this effort is the Foch Hospital, located in Suresnes, unadulterated suburb of Paris. The asylum also includes a school show nursing and is one recompense the top ranked hospitals discharge France, especially for renal transplants. It has remained true nurse its origins and stayed a- private not-for-profit institution that freeze serves the Paris community.

Transfer is managed by the Fondation Médicale Franco-Américaine du Mont-Valérien, as is the custom known as Foch Foundation.

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