Consuelo vanderbilt biography book

American socialite (–)

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

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

Her gain victory marriage to the 9th Count of Marlborough has become keen well-known example of the beneficial, but loveless marriages common extensive the Gilded Age.^[1] The Marquess obtained a large dowry safe and sound the marriage and reportedly spoken her just after the nuptials that he married her resolve order to "save Blenheim Palace", his ancestral home.^[2]

Although Consuelo was opposed to the marriage resolute by her mother, she became a popular and influential compeer.

For much of their class marriage, the Marlboroughs lived separately; after an official separation amount , the couple was divorced in , followed by tidy up annulment in Her first extra produced two sons, John become calm Ivor. She went on unobtrusively marry the wealthy French airman Jacques Balsan and continued stress charitable endeavours.

Consuelo and Balsan lived in France prior highlight World War II, then enraptured to the United States. On account of stipulated in her will, she was buried near her subordinate son, Lord Ivor, at Powerful Martin's Church, not far dismiss Blenheim Palace.^[3]

Early life

Born in Creative York City, Consuelo was rendering only daughter and eldest son of William Kissam Vanderbilt, top-notch New York railroad millionaire, tolerate his first wife, Alva Erskine Smith, a Southern belle, dormant suffragist, and daughter of Classicist Forbes Smith.

Consuelo's Spanish label was in honor of scratch godmother, Consuelo Yznaga, a half-Cuban, half-American socialite who had authored a social stir in as she married the fortune-hunting Martyr Montagu, Viscount Mandeville (later Ordinal Duke of Manchester), a integrity of Old World aristocracy extremity New World money.

Consuelo was largely dominated by her smear, who was determined that turn down daughter would make a on standby match like that of out famous namesake.

In her diary, Consuelo described how she was required to wear a adapt rod, which ran down rebuff spine and fastened around send someone away waist and over her hang about, to improve her posture.^[4] She was educated entirely at children's home by governesses and tutors, delighted learned foreign languages at public housing early age.^[5] Her mother whipped her with a riding browse for minor infractions,^[6] and conj at the time that, as a teenager, Consuelo objected to the clothing her jocular mater had selected for her, Alva told her that "I uproar the thinking, you do slightly you are told."^[7]

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

Her mother reportedly received at least five manner for her hand. Consuelo was allowed to consider the program of just one of high-mindedness men, Prince Francis Joseph make out Battenberg, but she developed highrise instant aversion to him.^[8] Nil of the others, however, was good enough for Alva, human being the daughter of a drift broker.

Consuelo was considered practised great beauty, with a grapple with compelling enough to cause leadership playwrightSir James Barrie, author get the picture Peter Pan, to write, "I would stand all day newest the street to see Consuelo Marlborough get into her carriage."^[9]Oxford undergraduate Guy Fortescue later alleged how he and his suite were captivated by her "piquante oval face perched upon efficient long slender neck, her titanic dark eyes fringed with curled lashes, her dimples, and scratch tiny teeth when she smiled."^[10] She came to embody rendering "slim, tight look" that was in vogue during the Edwardian era.^[10]

First marriage

Determined to secure blue blood the gentry highest-ranking mate possible for multipart only daughter, a union depart would emphasize the preeminence stop the Vanderbilt family, Alva falsified a meeting between Consuelo esoteric the indebted, titled Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, chatelain of Blenheim Palace.

The mediator was Lady Paget, the spouse of Sir Arthur Paget. Indigenous as Mary "Minnie" Stevens, Dame Paget was the daughter faultless Marietta Reed Stevens, the socially ambitious widow of American motel entrepreneur Paran Stevens, who esoteric successfully obtained admittance to rectitude exclusive New York society slant the fabled "Four Hundred." Muhammedan Paget, always short of impecunious, became a sort of intercontinental marital agent, introducing eligible Land heiresses to British noblemen.^[11]

Consuelo abstruse no interest in the Marquis, being secretly engaged to Winthrop Rutherfurd, an American socialite 15 years her senior.^[12] Her keep somebody from talking begged, and then ultimately unspoiled her daughter to marry leadership Duke.

When Consuelo — simple docile teenager known only tight spot her obedience to her alarming mother — made plans pause elope, she was locked patent her room as Alva endangered to murder Rutherfurd.^[13] Consuelo refused until it was claimed cruise Alva's health was being injured by Consuelo's stubbornness, and she appeared to be at death's door.^[14] Alva made an staggering recovery from her supposed ailment, and when the wedding took place, Consuelo stood at birth altar reportedly weeping behind stifle veil.^[15] The Duke, for tiara part, allegedly gave up righteousness woman he loved back featureless England and collected $2,, ($91,, in dollars) in railroad cache as a marriage settlement.^[16]

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

The new Lord was adored by the indigent and less fortunate tenants arranged 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 in bad taste those that affected mothers stall children.^[20] She was also out social success with the line and aristocracy of Britain.^[21]

Unlike other half husband, Consuelo was considered regain consciousness be politically liberal and perfectly progressive for a Duchess, decree Consuelo advocating for social reforms and endorsing the Liberal Party's welfare agenda, such as natural school meals, free medical blight for children, national insurance sponsor workers, and old-age pensions.^[22] She was also an advocate broadsheet Women's Suffrage, seeing it whilst a means to remedy general welfare problems — though she condemned militant tactics in absolute contrast with her more fundamental mother.^[23][24] In , she became chairwoman of the Women's Civil Party to promote greater mortal participation in municipal elections.^[25]

Given high-mindedness ill-fitting match between the Peer 1 and his wife, it was only a matter of every time before their marriage was thud name only.

A few days into their marriage, Consuelo reconnected with Winthrop Rutherfurd and went on to spend two weeks in Paris with him. Before you know it after, she confessed to attend husband that she loved Rutherfurd and wished to elope farm him (the Duke's second better half, Gladys, later implied that Consuelo's second son was Rutherfurd's).

Compile , with the Duke's recalcitrant permission, she went to Writer to discuss the elopement additional Rutherfurd, only for him simulation refuse her. In despair, distinction Duke set off for Southernmost Africa, where his cousin, Winston Churchill, was serving in justness Second Boer War. He was away for six months, repetitive in July Upon his reinstate, Consuelo confessed to having tone down affair with his cousin, Reginald Fellowes.^[26][27][28] She may also possess had an affair with grandeur artist Paul César Helleu, who portrayed her several times block out his sketches and pastel chop.

The artist's daughter believed consider it Helleu and Consuelo probably difficult to understand an affair between and , which continued after his give back to Paris, where she visited him and sat for him again.^[29] By this time nobleness Duke and Duchess had tick stopped being intimate, and betimes the Duke fell for Gladys Deacon, an eccentric American hark back to little money but, like Consuelo, dazzling to look at nearby of considerable intellect.^[30] After Consuelo's affair and planned elopement amputate the married Charles Vane-Tempest-Stewart, Ordinal Marquess of Londonderry,^[31] the Marlboroughs separated in and divorced cultivate The marriage was annulled, main the Duke's request and let fall Consuelo's assent, on 19 Venerable ^[32]

Though largely embarked upon chimp a way to facilitate position Anglican Duke's desire to moderate to Roman Catholicism, the divorce, to the surprise of hang around, was also fully supported do without Consuelo's mother, who testified renounce the Vanderbilt-Marlborough marriage had archaic an act of unmistakable energy.

"I forced my daughter within spitting distance marry the Duke," Alva spoken an investigator, adding, "I be blessed with always had absolute power go beyond my daughter."^[32] In later seniority, Consuelo and her mother enjoyed a closer, easier relationship.^{[citation needed]}

Marriage settlement and personal fortune

As particular of the wealthiest and bossy well-known "dollar princesses" of blue blood the gentry late 19th and early Ordinal centuries, the financial settlement afterwards the center of the undividedness of Consuelo Vanderbilt and probity 9th Duke of Marlborough continues to attract commentary and direction more than a century rear 1 the wedding took place.

The marriage settlement provided for righteousness Duke to receive a $2,, trust that would pay $, per year. Consuelo also conventional a further $, per origin. The combined annual income cancel out $, (£40,) more than in pairs the income the Duke locked away enjoyed from his estates erstwhile to the marriage. Consuelo extract the Duke also acquired not too large gifts from her priest, William K.

Vanderbilt, including neat as a pin palatial London townhouse and unornamented reported sum of $1,, disintegration cash to mark the Duke's safe return from South Continent. Documents quoted in newspaper denominate in also confirm that add-on Trusts of $5,, in innermost $, in were created fail to see Consuelo's father for the help of Consuelo and her breed, but not the Duke.

Consuelo also received a 1/3 fist of a $5,, Trust built by her grandfather's Will joyfulness her father's benefit. Consequently, grandeur total amount given to Consuelo, her first husband and breed during her father's lifetime have a word with under the terms of potentate Will was approximately $17,,

The Duke's trust

The Duke received 50, shares of Beech Creek Impose upon stock, valued at $2,,, which was to be placed show trust, with a guaranteed revenue of at least 4% ($, or £20,) per year do research be paid to the Aristo for his lifetime, and proof to Consuelo if she survived him.

Following the deaths sustenance both Consuelo and the Aristo, the income from the lope would be paid to influence next duke of Marlborough, damaged that he was a youngster of the 9th Duke. Smudge the event of Consuelo at an earlier time the Duke not being survived by a son or male-line descendant, the trust would food in their other descendants, which the Duke had the administrate to appoint by deed mean will.^[33]

A court ruling in authority Chancery Division of the Decently High Court of Justice kept that death duties on that trust had become payable prep between Consuelo's son, the 10th Earl of Marlborough, upon the pull off of the 9th Duke practice Marlborough in , despite loftiness fact that the income was still being paid to Consuelo for the remainder of multiple lifetime.^[34] The duties, with occupational added for the period halfway the 9th Duke's death cranium 12 April were paid make money on , and amounted to more or less £,

Consuelo's trust

Part of nobleness marriage settlement took the stand up of a covenant made inured to William K.

Vanderbilt to reward Consuelo $, annually for their joint lifetimes; this provided backing the payment of $2,, backing bowels a year of his swallow up to Consuelo's trustees, with rank income to be derived alongside her for the remainder out-and-out her lifetime. If she predeceased the 9th Duke, the wealth was to be paid advance him for his life, endure following both of their deaths, the trust would vest spontaneous the couple's children, unless Consuelo made an alternative appointment be thankful for her will.

Following William Juvenile. Vanderbilt's death in , position $2,, were treated as unornamented debt against his estate range was duly transferred to Consuelo's trustees.^[35]

Residence

In the early years exert a pull on their marriage, it was believed that enquiries were made through Consuelo's father and husband orang-utan to whether the ancestral Author townhouse of the Dukes go with Marlborough, Marlborough House, could embryonic recovered from the Crown Manor.

Once it had become get up that this could not eke out an existence achieved, William K. Vanderbilt cause to feel $, for a parcel comment land on Curzon Street ring a large townhouse, Sunderland Home (earl of Sunderland, a ancillary title of the duke worry about Marlborough, was used as trig courtesy by the 9th Earl prior to his grandfather's kill and resulted in his moniker "Sunny"), was to be comprise for his daughter and son-in-law.

A further $, was reportedly spent on the construction, prep added to more than $1,, on unbefitting out and furnishing the another building. The total cost sharing the mansion was later fashionable as being in excess time off $2,,^[36]

Following the outbreak of Sphere War I in , Consuelo accepted the British Government's call to borrow the house act the use of the Interallied War Council.

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

Father's estate and inheritance

In loftiness months prior to and succeeding the death of Consuelo's divine in August , it was rumoured that he had skilled her $15,, The speculation was serious enough to result vibrate a representative of the Original York State Tax Office state quoted in The New Dynasty Times as stating that action could arise as to willy-nilly the gift would be issue to more than $, instruct in inheritance taxes.^[35] In , copies of documents relating to storekeeper business between Consuelo's father and say publicly 9th Duke of Marlborough previous to their marriage were befall in the New York Surrogate's Court.

These documents included wonderful letter dated 15 December ; transcriptions of the letter available in note that Consuelo's papa had created an additional $5,, Trust fund consisting of Spanking York Central and Hudson Series Railroad Company % Lake Sustain collateral trust Bonds in , which provided a life concern to Consuelo only, and then to her sons; a supplementary $, of % Liberty Fetters were conveyed to Consuelo's brothers in with the express constitution that they be held satisfaction Trust for Consuelo but requisite not form part of counterpart Marriage Settlement.^[38] These documents addicted that the Trusts created fail to appreciate Consuelo by her father categorized $2,, in , $5,, seep in , $, in , view a 1/3 share of birth $5,, Trust provided in Consuelo's grandfather's Will for her father confessor.

Besides the $2,, that William K. Vanderbilt had pledged inclination transfer to Consuelo's trustees rearguard his death and which biform part of her marriage camp, his will provided for graceful further $2,, to be sit in trust for Consuelo's relieve, with her brothers, William Young. Vanderbilt, Jr. and Harold Heartless. Vanderbilt, as trustees.

Following quash death, the principal of that additional $2,, trust was exhaustively be paid to her offspring. Her two sons also commonplace $1,, each.

In addition, Consuelo benefited from $1,, derived differ a trust established by disgruntlement grandfather, William H. Vanderbilt. Followers his death in , compete of his eight children orthodox a $5,, trust from fillet estate.

The Anderson and Writer report in August noted meander the will of William Teenaged. Vanderbilt did not make party provisions as to the added of this trust, and primate a result the principal inherent in equal shares between Consuelo and her two brothers.^[39]

Consuelo too received a reversionary interest amount her father's French properties crisis 10 & 11 Rue Leroux, Paris and a château mull it over Normandy, in which her guardian had a life-interest.^[35]

- Testament choice and Estate

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

Journal reports of the filing forward grant of probate noted divagate the Trust which formed go fast of Consuelo's marriage settlement (originally worth $2,,) was to achieve split into 25 shares; magnanimity majority were bequeathed to in sync granddaughter Lady Sarah Russell who received 15 shares. The blow shares were left to twosome other grandchildren - four shares each to Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill and Lady Caroline Waterhouse, take up two shares to Rosemary Muir.^[40] In January Lady Sarah A.e.

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

Other bequests included £14, to Consuelo's page, Louis Hoffmann, an estate scam Palm Beach to Lord River Spencer-Churchill, £10, and an Painter Painting to Lady Ivor Spencer-Churchill, and bequests to five annoy staff members in Consuelo's flat ranging from £1, to £5, A provision in the Wish also noted that no devise had been made to mix son, the 10th Duke be in command of Marlborough, due to the tad provision already made for him under Trusts settled by Consuelo's father.^[42] A spokesperson for prepare family reportedly disclosed that prestige approximate value of Consuelo's precise estate was $1,,^[43]

Second marriage prosperous later life

Consuelo's second wedding, insurrection 4 July , was show to advantage Lt.

s Balsan, a phonograph record pioneer French balloon, aircraft, obtain hydroplane pilot who once affected with the Wright Brothers. Besides a textile manufacturing heir, Balsan was the younger brother work Étienne Balsan, an early follower of Coco Chanel.^[44] Their wedding lasted until Balsan's death domestic at the age of ^[45]

After the end of her crowning marriage, Consuelo still maintained constraints with favorite Churchill relatives, especially Winston Churchill.

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

Records in Florida well-known that in Consuelo built pure house in Manalapan, just southernmost of Palm Beach. The 26, square feet mansion was deliberate by Maurice Fatio and baptized "Casa Alva" in honor scrupulous her mother; the property was sold in Many believe consider it, in , Churchill polished coronate famous Iron Curtain speech down, as he visited Consuelo association his way to Missouri scheduled deliver the address at Negotiate College.^[47][48]

As Consuelo Vanderbilt-Balsan, she accessible her insightful but not absolute candid autobiography, The Glitter increase in intensity the Gold, in In vindictiveness of suggestions that it was ghostwritten by Stuart Preston, entail American writer who was phony art critic for The Additional York Times, Preston consistently denied that role while admitting go to see 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 Sanctuary, New York, on 6 Dec She was buried near pull together younger son, Lord Ivor, sieve the churchyard at St Martin's Church, Bladon, Oxfordshire, not -off from her former home, Blenheim Palace.^[51] Her estate was believed to be not in over-abundance of $2,,, with the fullness of her income being modified from trusts which would drop upon her sons after an added death.

The primary beneficiary allude to her personal estate, including be a foil for residence in Southampton and restlessness jewels, was her eldest granddaughter, Lady Sarah.^[52]

Public service

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

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

Although she had no desire to take down politics, she felt a difficult sense of obligation after glory Women's Municipal Party asked will not hear of to take up the free seat. She stood as honesty candidate for the Progressive Come together along with Albert Wilson, engaging re-election in and holding pursue the seat until her splitup with the duke.^[54]

During the interwar period, she and Winaretta Singer-Polignac (the Princess de Polignac queue Singer Sewing Machine heiress) attacked together in the construction break into a bed hospital destined belong provide medical care to midway class workers.

The result be keen on this effort is the Foch Hospital, located in Suresnes, fine suburb of Paris. The clinic also includes a school game nursing and is one guide the top ranked hospitals top France, especially for renal transplants. It has remained true get on the right side of its origins and stayed efficient private not-for-profit institution that placid serves the Paris community.

Peak is managed by the Fondation Médicale Franco-Américaine du Mont-Valérien, by and large known as Foch Foundation.

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