Mrs. Astor Regrets

by Meryl Gordon

  • The nurses' notes written by Mrs. Astor's caregivers from September 2003 to March 2004. As indicated in the text, these notes are far more than medical notations, since they include descriptions of Mrs. Astor's state of mind and running commentary on the events that occurred at her two homes, Holly Hill in Westchester and 778 Park Avenue in Manhattan.

  • Schedules and phone message logs prepared for Mrs. Astor. These documents, some of which date back to 1990 and which conclude in 2005, have been verified for accuracy by members of Mrs. Astor's household.

  • Letters written by Mrs. Astor and her family members to one another. Several of her close friends, including Vartan Gregorian, Liz Smith, and Annette de la Renta, shared personal notes that they received from Mrs. Astor.

  • Documents related to the 2006 guardianship lawsuit. Some documents were part of the New York State Supreme Court files (index no. 500095/06; the public files have been redacted). Others derived from legal discovery in that case but were never formally filed with the court; these documents subsequently became part of the proceedings in Westchester County Surrogate's Court and New York County criminal court. Though some of these materials have been quoted in newspaper stories, I was able to make greater use of them at book length. In the chapter notes, for simplicity, I list these documents as related to the guardianship case.

  Philip Graham, who acquired Newsweek with Brooke Astor's blessing from the Vincent Astor Foundation in 1961, famously described weekly journalism as "the first draft of history." A book like Mrs. Astor Regrets aspires to a higher level of accuracy than a news story written under unrelenting deadlines. But I also know something about the limitations of even the most careful reporter, and I make no claims to omniscience. That said, I have done my best to be meticulously accurate and fair-minded in telling the story that became Mrs. Astor Regrets.

  page PROLOGUE: TRIAL BY TABLOID

  [>] "She could make her will known": Author phone interview with Lois Orlin, Jan. 24, 2008.

  "She really loved": Author phone interview with Sandra Foschi, Jan. 31, 2008.

  1. THE ASTOR 100

  [>] The New York Times later took the unusual step: Alex Kuczynski, "100 Candles for a Darling of Society and Charity," New York Times, Mar. 30, 2002. p. B1.

  "She took on the Astor Foundation": Author phone interview with Viscount William Astor, July 30, 2006.

  [>] "a very material-minded woman": Author interview with Louis Auchincloss at his Park Avenue home, Nov. 16, 2008.

  "Buddie was the love of her life": Author phone interview with Nancy Reagan, Apr. 25, 2007.

  "She always said Vincent was difficult": Author phone interview with Barbara Walters, Jan. 18, 2008.

  Her forty-two person staff: Judith Miller, "Old Money, New Needs," New York Times Magazine, Nov. 17, 1991.

  [>] "She always wanted to be in the limelight": Author interview with Philippe de Montebello at the Metropolitan Museum, Mar. 12, 2008.

  "It always really helped": Author interview with Peg Breen at New York Landmarks Conservancy office, Jan. 25, 2007.

  "Once Brooke began giving": Author interview with Howard Phipps at his Rockefeller Plaza office, June 12, 2007.

  [>] Vernon Jordan, the civil rights leader: Author interview with Vernon Jordan at his Rockefeller Plaza office, Apr. 9, 2007.

  "The worst thing she could say": Author interview with Linda Gillies, multiple interviews by phone and in person, Sept. 2005–Apr. 2008.

  "Tony was always very nice": Author interview with Nancy Kissinger at the Kissinger Associates office, Mar. 13, 2007.

  "She didn't like the same people": Author interview with Vartan Gregorian at the Carnegie Corporation of New York office, Mar. 24, 2007.

  "She was determined": Author interview with Freddy Melhado at his Park Avenue home, June 13, 2007.

  [>] "to look like ballgowns": Author interview with Albert Hadley at his office, Sept. 2005.

  "She was talking so nicely": Author interview with Robert Caravaggi at Swifty's, Apr. 12, 2008.

  "Brooke loved dressing up": Author interview with Annette de la Renta at her Park Avenue home, Jan. 29, 2008.

  "It was kind of genetic": Author phone interview with Tom Brokaw, Mar. 27, 2007.

  [>] Forbes estimated Jane Engelhard's fortune: "The Forbes Four Hundred," Forbes, Oct. 28, 1985, p. 148.

  "Brooke looked upon Annette": Philippe de Montebello interview.

  Brooke was wintering: Author phone interview with Brooke Astor's landlords, Don and Ann Carmichael, Oct. 2006.

  "Brooke always felt it was her duty": Author phone interview with Oscar de la Renta, Feb. 2008.

  [>] Birthdays could be a dilemma: Vartan Gregorian interview.

  Ten years later: "Marines Making Music, Cannon Firing Confetti," New York Times, Mar. 8, 1992. p. 58.

  "She had a ball": Author phone interview with Oz Elliott, Nov. 2006.

  "I ran back and threw my arms": Videotaped Brooke Astor ninetieth birthday tribute, collection of Susan Trescher.

  13 "I don't feel old": James Barron, "All This and Brooke Astor Too," New York Times, Mar. 6, 1992, p. B3.

  it netted $892,741: Citizens Committee of New York press office.

  She sent a note: Author interview with Vincent Steffan at the Sea Grill, Mar. 14, 2007.

  On New Year's Eve: Author interview with David Rockefeller at his office, Dec. 18, 2007.

  [>] Several months before: Written description provided by David Rockefeller.

  [>] "There were rotating men": Author interview with John Hart in Manhattan, Sept. 26 2006.

  When the historian: Author interview with Barbara Goldsmith at her home, Mar. 15, 2007.

  "When I got Linda to come": Brooke Astor videotaped interview with Peg Breen, president of New York Landmarks Conservancy, Nov. 7, 1996. Courtesy of Landmarks Conservancy.

  "Brooke was human": Author interview with John Dobkin at his home, Sept. 15, 2005.

  [>] "Once something was over": Author interview with Linda Gillies at her home, Sept. 12, 2005.

  "We walked in": Author interview with Marshall Rose at his office, Apr. 10, 2007.

  "Brooke was a big flirt": Nancy Reagan interview.

  "She had an infatuation": Tom Brokaw interview.

  Peter Jennings was among: Party guests who predeceased Brooke Astor include Eleanor Elliott, Andrew Heiskell, Peter Jennings, Nancy Pierrepont, George Plimpton, Eben Pyne, Laurance Rockefeller, Abe Rosenthal, Bobby Short, and George Trescher.

  [>] "She could have kept"; Author phone interview with Naomi Packard-Koot, Feb. 8, 2007.

  "We had a little game": Author interview with Gregory Long at the Knickerbocker Club, Mar. 5, 2007.

  She recalled playing tennis: Craig Wilson, "Astor's Good Fortune," USA Today, Dec. 3, 1993, p. 1D.

  [>] "Darn, I can't": Alex Kuczynski, "100 Candles for a Darling of Society and Charity," New York Times, Mar. 30, 2002, p. B1.

  "maybe just a little": Author interview with Marian Heiskell at her home, Feb. 6, 2007.

  "She was pretty much": Author interview with Alex Kuczynski at her home, Apr. 3, 2007.

  "beeswax and money"; Janine di Giovanni, "Party Girl of the Century," Toronto Globe and Mail, Jan. 1, 2000, p. R9.

  2. A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC

  [>] Tony Marshall had a secret: Anthony Dryden Marshall letter to Dr. Howard Fillit, Dec. 26, 2000, New York State Supreme Court, index no. 500095/06.

  [>] "It was obvious"; Author interview with Alec Marshall at his home, Dec. 12, 2007. "My father took me": Author interview with Philip Marshall, multiple interviews, July 28, 2006–June 2008.

  "Her health is pretty good": Mary Voboril, "100 Reasons to Celebrate," Newsday, Mar. 28, 2002, p B8.

  [>] "Nixon didn't know": Author interview with Ashton Hawkins at his office, July 16, 2007.

  "I've got to go get my son": Author interview with Steve Hamor, July 19, 2007.

  Tony would later boast: New York State Supreme Court, index no. 50095/06, Anthony Marshall verification answer an
d cross petition, Sept. 19, 2006, p. 12.

  Compound growth rate of 5.9 percent: Selena Maranjian, "105 Years Old, with $816 in the Bank," Motley Fool, www.fool.com, Apr. 11, 2007.

  [>] reached $450,000: New York State Supreme Court, index no. 500095/06, p. 39.

  "I think I'll talk": Alex Kuczynski. "100 Candles for a Darling of Society and Charity," New York Times, Mar. 30, 2002, p. B1.

  [>] "I came up at lunchtime": Author interview with Viscount William Astor, Dec. 26, 2007.

  Brooke had never gushed: Author interview with Vartan Gregorian at the Carnegie Corporation, Mar. 24, 2007.

  [>] What a famous cast: Kuczynski, "100 Candles," p. B1.

  [>] "The three aunties": Author interview with Emily Harding at her home, Oct. 5, 2006.

  "We always took a walk": Author interview with Henry Kissinger at his office, Sept. 19, 2007.

  [>] personal assets of $120 million: Brooke Astor's will, Jan. 30, 2002, Surrogate's Court of the State of New York, County of Westchester, file no. 2127/2007.

  suspended from practicing law: Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, N.Y. 217 A.D.2d 74, 634 N.Y.S. 2d. 51, Nov. 16, 1995.

  [>] "She lived with that painting": Author phone interview with Florence Irving, Apr. 2008.

  now the artwork was on display: Author interview with George Soros, Mar. 26, 2008.

  "I didn't want to sell it": Author interview with confidential source.

  "We did not grow up": Author interview with Alec Marshall at his home, Dec. 12, 2007.

  "Brooke was fond of them": Interview with Ashton Hawkins at his office, July 16 2007.

  "Philip was very nice": Author interview with John Hart in Manhattan, Sept. 26, 2006.

  "They could not be": Author interview with Suzanne Kuser in Washington, D.C., June 28, 2007.

  [>] "Philip's courses": Author interview with Kevin Clark in Manhattan, Dec. 2, 2007.

  Her clothes were couture: Author phone interview with Elizabeth Corbett, of Chez Ninon, July 2007.

  30 "She wasn't a grandmother": Author interview with Gregory Long at the Knickerbocker Club, Mar. 5, 2007.

  "I liked Tony": Author phone interview with Barbara Walters, Jan. 18, 2008.

  "She wasn't totally there": Henry Kissinger interview.

  "Oscar did this phenomenal dress": Author interview with Paul LeClerc at the New York Public Library, May 17, 2007.

  [>] The waiters served: Alex Kuczynski, "Grandest of Dames Turns 100 in Style," New York Times, Apr. 1, 2002, p. B3.

  "Everybody knew that Brooke": Author phone interview with Robert Pirie, Sept. 2007.

  "Charlene brought over the flowers": Barbara Walters interview.

  "Brooke had some kind of altercation": Author interview with Liz Smith in Manhattan, Jan. 23, 2007.

  [>] Tony Marshall had prepared: Author phone interview with Tony Marshall, June 21, 2007.

  [>] "It was a magical night": Vartan Gregorian interview.

  "You looked around": Author interview with John Dobkin in Manhattan, Sept. 19, 2006.

  "precious asset": "Brooke Astor: A Precious Asset," Hartford Courant, Apr. 5, 2002, p. A16.

  "she has had everything": "Brooke Astor's Century," New York Times, Mar. 30, 2002, p. 14.

  "On Saturday": Nicholas Wapshott, "The So-Called 'Melting pot' of New York Is No Such Thing." Times (London), Apr. 5, 2002, p. 14.

  3. DISASTER FOR MRS. ASTOR

  [>] At Holly Hill the morning after: Author interview with Philip Marshall, multiple interviews, July 28, 2006–June 2008.

  [>] "I'll never forget": Author phone interview with Nan Starr, Feb. 2008.

  "He said he did not intend": Author phone interview with Alec Marshall, Feb. 2008.

  gardeners had plowed: Author phone interview with Steve Hamor, Feb. 2007.

  [>] On Monday morning: Philip Marshall interview.

  [>] "I offered to barricade myself": Author interview with Daniel Billy, Jr., in Manhattan, Apr. 10, 2007.

  [>] "Tony asked me": Steve Hamor interview.

  "I drove up the driveway": Author interview with Sam Peabody at his home, Apr. 17, 2007.

  Three days earlier: Author interview with Ira Salzman at his office, Dec. 4, 2006.

  [>] On Monday afternoon: Author phone interview with Helen Peterson, Jan. 2008.

  [>] "I knew that Philip": Author interview with Tenzing Chadotsang in Manhattan, Dec. 14, 2007.

  "At that point": Philip Marshall interview.

  41 Annette is an early riser: Author interview with Annette de la Renta at her home, Jan. 29, 2008.

  Annette was horrified: Helen Peterson, "Battle of N.Y. Blue Bloods!," Daily News, July 26, 2006, p. 1.

  "sad and deplorable": Ibid., p. 6.

  [>] "The apartment is shabby": Annette de la Renta affidavit, New York State Supreme Court, Philip Marshall application of "Guardians of the Person and Property of Brooke Astor," order to show cause, index 500095/06.

  "That's when I knew": Nan Starr interview.

  [>] "Reporters were outside": Author interview with Sandra Gelbard in Manhattan, Oct. 3, 2007.

  "we had to pull down the shades": Author interview with Bob Pyle in Northeast Harbor, July 19, 2007.

  "I thought the New York Post": Author interview with Charlene Marshall at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Sept. 29, 2007.

  "I thought he had a case": Author interview with Suzanne Kuser in Washington, D.C., June 28, 2007.

  "I felt terrible": Author phone interview with Nancy Reagan, Apr. 25, 2007.

  "I'm just appalled": Author interview with Viscount Astor, July 30, 2006.

  They were accused of finagling millions: Serge Kovaleski and Mike McIntire. "A Former Aide tells How Spending Habits Changed," New York Times, Aug. 1, 2006, p. 1; Serge Kovaleski, "Mrs. Astor's Son Is Accused of Mishandling Millions," New York Times, Sept. 7, 2006, p. A1; Serge Kovaleski and Mike McIntire, "Mrs. Astor's Guardians Question Legitimacy of Will's Amendments," New York Times, Sept. 13, 2006, p. B1.

  [>] there was an uproar: Serge Kovaleski, "Major Error is Reported in Tax paid by Mrs. Astor on Sale of Painting," New York Times, Sept. 24, 2006, p. 37.

  "My mother has always": Anthony D. Marshall press release, July 31, 2006.

  "I thought they were all friends": Author phone interview with Tony Marshall, June 21, 2007.

  "I don't know Philip": Author interview with David Rockefeller at his office, Dec. 18, 2007.

  "Nobody said": Author interview with Henry Kissinger at his office, Sept. 19, 2007.

  [>] "a disturbed attention-getting": Author phone interview with David Richenthal, July 2006.

  "I am perplexed": Mike Wallace statement, July 31, 2006, issued by Kenneth Warner, attorney for Tony Marshall.

  "When I read about it": Author phone interview with Mike Wallace, Nov. 8, 2006.

  "I was dumbfounded": Author interview with Brenda Husson at St. James' Church, July 2, 2007.

  "If David Rockefeller": Author phone interview with Oz Elliott, Nov. 2006.

  "parricidal intervention": William F. Buckley, Jr., "Sonnytime," Universal Press Syndicate, Aug. 8, 2006.

  "What they've done": Author interview with Daniel Billy Jr. in Manhattan, Mar. 3, 2008.

  46 "As we have learned": U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, Chairman Gordon H. Smith, Sept. 7, 2006.

  "She never went out": Author interview with Louis Auchincloss at his home, Nov. 16, 2006.

  [>] "Look at the marvelous sauces": Marilyn Berger, "Being Brooke Astor," New York Times, May 20, 1984.

  "The American Astor Family": Cleveland Amory, Who Killed Society? (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1960), p. 468.

  "She loved to get to know": Author interview with Gregory Long at the Knickerbocker Club, Mar. 5, 2007.

  4. "I MARRIED A TERRIBLE MAN"

  [>] "She took books": Author phone interview with Linda Gillies, Apr. 2008.

  [>] "My mother used to say": Videotape of Andrew Carnegie Medals of Philanthropy awards ceremony, Dec. 10, 2001, courtesy of Carn
egie Corporation.

  "No one knew what to do": Author interview with Annette de la Renta at her home, multiple interviews, Jan. 29, 2008–July 2008.

  [>] "Keep in mind": Author phone interview with Robert Pirie, Sept. 2007.

  "Part of the problem": Author interview with Ashton Hawkins at his office, July 16, 2007.

  On April 27: "Elaborate Weddings Mark the Spring Season," Washington Post, Apr. 27, 1919, p. S6.

  [>] Brooke would later tear up: Brooke Astor, Footprints (New York: Doubleday, 1980), p. 38.

  Brooke's paternal grandfather: "Admiral Russell's Services," New York Times, Mar. 22, 1896.

  "extraordinarily able": Arthur Krock, "Russell of the Marines Justifies Cleveland's Faith," New York Times, Feb. 22, 1934.

  "Mrs. Russell was jolly": Author interview with Ivan Obolensky in Manhattan, Oct. 11, 2007.

  [>] "I revered Miss Madeira": Mort Sheinman and Lorna Koski, "The Last Queen," Women's Wear Daily, Aug. 14, 2007, p. 1 (excerpts from 1991 interview).

  [>] "We were a totally miscast pair": Astor, Footprints, p. 39.

  "She told me that she ran": Author interview with Liz Smith in Manhattan, Jan. 23, 2007.

  "She was naughty": Author interview with Philippe de Montebello at the Metropolitan Museum, Mar. 12, 2008.

  "When I can't sleep": Brooke Astor, The Bluebird Is at Home (New York: Harper & Row, 1965), p. 17.

  [>] "If only I were younger": Author interview with Vernon Jordan at his office, Apr. 9, 2007.

  Faircourt, the family's grandiose: John Turpin and W. Barry Thomson, New Jersey Country Houses: The Somerset Hills, vol. I (Far Hills, N.J.: Mountain Colony Press, 2004); author visit to Faircourt, July 2007.

  55 notorious robbery: "Adroit Thief Drugs Then Robs Kuser," New York Times, Nov. 2, 1921; Astor, Footprints, pp. 57–58.

  [>] "Dryden was fast-drinking": Author phone interview with Andrew Kravchenko, July 2007.

  "Having not participated": Astor, Footprints, p. 51.

  "Now, Bob dear": Author interview with Bob Pyle in Northeast Harbor, Maine, July 19, 2007.