Brooke Astor facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brooke Astor
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Brooke Astor in 2002 in her apartment
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| Born |
Roberta Brooke Russell
March 30, 1902 |
| Died | August 13, 2007 (aged 105) |
| Education |
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| Occupation | Writer, philanthropist |
| Spouse(s) |
John Dryden Kuser
(m. 1919; div. 1930)Charles Henry Marshall
(m. 1932; William Vincent Astor
(m. 1953; |
| Children | Anthony Dryden Marshall |
| Parent(s) |
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| Relatives | John Henry Russell, Sr. (grandfather) |
Roberta Brooke Astor (born Roberta Brooke Russell; March 30, 1902 – August 13, 2007) was an American writer and a very generous person who gave a lot of money to help others. She was the leader of the Vincent Astor Foundation. This foundation was started by her third husband, Vincent Astor. Brooke Astor also wrote two novels and two books about her own life.
Contents
Early Life and Travels
Brooke Astor was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was the only child of John Henry Russell Jr.. Her father was a high-ranking officer in the Marine Corps. Her grandfather was also a high-ranking officer in the U.S. Navy. Brooke was named after her grandmother and was called Bobby by her friends and family.
Because her father was in the military, Brooke lived in many different countries as a child. She lived in places like China, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. She went to The Madeira School for a short time and later graduated from the Holton-Arms School. When she was a child, she kept diaries, letters, and drawings from her travels. These were later published in a book called "Patchwork Child: Early Memories" in 1993.
Brooke Astor's Marriages
First Marriage: John Dryden Kuser
Brooke married her first husband, John Dryden Kuser, when she was just 17 years old. They got married on April 26, 1919, in Washington, D.C. Later in life, she said that getting married so young was not a good idea. John Kuser became a politician in New Jersey. Brooke and John had one son together, named Anthony Dryden "Tony" Kuser, who was born in 1924. They divorced in 1930.
Second Marriage: Charles Henry Marshall
In 1932, Brooke married her second husband, Charles Henry "Buddy" Marshall. He was a partner in an investment company. Brooke later wrote that this marriage was "a great love match." She also gained two stepchildren, Peter and Helen. In 1942, Brooke's son Tony changed his last name to Marshall because he admired his stepfather.
Brooke started working as an editor at House & Garden magazine for eight years. She also worked briefly for a famous interior decorator in New York City.
Third Marriage: William Vincent Astor
In 1953, Brooke married her third husband, William Vincent Astor. He was the head of Newsweek magazine and came from the famous Astor family. Vincent was the son of John Jacob Astor IV, who was on the RMS Titanic. Vincent had been married twice before and did not have any children.
Brooke said that Vincent had a difficult childhood. She tried to make him happy by dancing, singing, and playing the piano. She said she made him laugh, which no one else had done before. Vincent was very careful about people because of his money. Brooke tried to help him trust others more.
Brooke helped Vincent with his real estate and hotel businesses. She also helped with his charity work. She redecorated the Hotel St. Regis, which his father had built. When Vincent passed away in 1959, he left all his money to Brooke. She then took charge of the Vincent Astor Foundation.
Brooke received several marriage proposals after Vincent's death, but she decided not to marry again. She once said she was "too used to having things my way."
Helping Others: Philanthropy
After Vincent Astor passed away in 1959, Brooke took over his large fortune and used it to help many charities. She became a leader at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. She helped create the beautiful Chinese garden courtyard, called the Astor Court, at the museum. She also helped with the museum's 100th-anniversary celebration.
Brooke was also a big supporter of the New York Zoological Society. An Asian elephant baby was even named Astor in her honor! Even after closing the Vincent Astor Foundation in 1997, she continued to be very active in charity work.
The New York Public Library was one of Brooke's favorite charities. She also supported The Animal Medical Center. In 1988, she received the National Medal of Arts for her contributions to the arts. In 1998, she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive in the U.S. Brooke's motto about giving was: "Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around." This means money is only useful when it's shared to help others.
She supported many other groups, including Lighthouse for the Blind, the Maternity Center Association, and the International Rescue Committee. She also helped the Fresh Air Fund and the New York-Presbyterian Hospital.
Later Life and Passing
Brooke Astor passed away on August 13, 2007, at the age of 105. She died from pneumonia at her home in Briarcliff Manor, New York. Her funeral was held at Saint Thomas Church (Manhattan). Many famous people attended, including Henry Kissinger and Michael Bloomberg.
Brooke Astor is buried in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery next to her husband, Vincent Astor. The words on her gravestone, which she chose herself, say: "I had a wonderful life."
Many organizations shared their sadness when Brooke passed away. These included The Animal Medical Center of New York, Carnegie Hall, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the New York Public Library, and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Brooke Astor in Media
Brooke Astor has been featured in books and TV shows.
- She is a character named Jane Merle in the book Night and Silence: Who is Here? by Pamela Hansford Johnson.
- In an episode of the TV show 30 Rock, a character says her ring belonged to Brooke Astor.
- A musical called Brooke Astor's Last Affair was created about her life. It first showed in Chicago in 2019.
See also
In Spanish: Brooke Astor para niños
