George J Brooke

Roberta Brooke Astor, born Roberta Brooke Russell in 1902, was an American philanthropist, socialite, and writer who lived a long life, passing away in 2007 at the age of 105. She was the chairwoman of the Vincent Astor Foundation, established by her third husband, Vincent Astor. Astor authored two novels and two volumes of personal memoirs, offering insights into her life experiences. Her early life was marked by extensive travel due to her father's military career, leading to her childhood in various international locations. She received her education at The Madeira School and Holton-Arms School. Astor was married three times: first to John Dryden Kuser, with whom she had a son, Anthony Dryden Kuser; second to Charles Henry Marshall; and finally to William Vincent Astor. Her later years were involved in significant philanthropic endeavors, particularly through the Vincent Astor Foundation, and she was recognized with awards such as the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. A controversy arose concerning allegations of elder abuse by her son Anthony Marshall regarding her welfare.

Born Roberta Brooke Russell in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, her childhood was spent abroad due to her father's service in the Marine Corps. She lived in various countries and briefly attended The Madeira School before graduating from Holton-Arms School. Her early experiences, including keeping diaries and drawings from her travels, were later published in her memoir "Patchwork Child: Early Memories." Astor married three times. Her first marriage, at 17, was to John Dryden Kuser, a union she later described as tumultuous and marked by her husband's alleged abuse and infidelity, resulting in their divorce in 1930 and the birth of their son, Anthony Dryden Kuser. Her second marriage was to Charles Henry Marshall, an investment firm partner. Following his death, she married William Vincent Astor, the last wealthy American heir of the Astor family. This marriage was often viewed as a financial arrangement, though Astor claimed she aimed to bring him happiness, noting his difficult childhood and suspicious nature.

Upon her marriage to Vincent Astor, Brooke became involved in his philanthropic activities. After his death in 1959, she assumed leadership of the Vincent Astor Foundation, directing its substantial fortune towards charitable causes. Her contributions included serving as a Trustee of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where she is credited with the concept for the Astor Court, a Chinese garden courtyard. She was also a benefactor to the New York Zoological Society, which named an elephant in her honor. Astor continued her active involvement in charities and New York's social scene even after liquidating the foundation in 1997. Her extensive generosity was recognized with the National Medal of Arts in 1988 and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1998. Her personal philosophy on giving was encapsulated by the motto: "Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around."

In the years leading up to her death, Brooke Astor became the subject of a public controversy concerning allegations of elder abuse. A lawsuit was filed by her grandson, Philip Cryan Marshall, against his father, Anthony Marshall, Brooke's son. The suit sought to remove Anthony Marshall as his mother's guardian, alleging neglect, financial mismanagement, and exploitation of her estate. Philip Marshall claimed that his father had failed to adequately provide for his mother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and other ailments, and had allowed her living conditions to deteriorate. Specific accusations included the sale of a valuable painting without her knowledge and the reduction of necessary medical care. Prominent figures like Henry Kissinger and David Rockefeller supported the grandson's plea for a change in guardianship.

“I certainly wouldn't advise getting married that young to anyone. At the age of sixteen, you're not jelled yet. The first thing you look at, you fall in love with.”

“I learned about terrible manners from the family of my first husband. They didn't know how to treat people.”

“He had a dreadful childhood and as a result had moments of deep melancholy. But I think I made him happy. That's what I set out to do. I'd literally dance with the dogs, sing and play the piano, and I would make him laugh, something no one had ever done before.”

“she married Vincent for the money”

“I wouldn't respect her if she hadn't. Only a twisted person would have married him for love.”