Grace Vanderbilt
Encyclopedia
Grace Wilson Vanderbilt (September 3, 1870 – January 7, 1953) was an American socialite
. She was the wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt III
. She was one of the last Vanderbilts to live the luxurious life of the "head of society" that her predecessors such as Alice and Alva Vanderbilt enjoyed.
She eloped with Cornelius Vanderbilt III
in 1896. This led to a violent disagreement between Neily and his father, which lasted many years. Neily and Grace Vanderbilt remained married for the rest of their lives and had two children, Cornelius Vanderbilt IV
, who would marry seven times, and a daughter, Grace Vanderbilt II (September 25, 1899 – January 28, 1964).
Following the War, she and her husband frequently returned to Europe, becoming friends and guests of numerous members of European royalty including Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and his brother, Prince Henry of Prussia
, King Albert I of Belgium, Crown Prince Olav of Norway
, Queen Marie of Romania, Reza Pahlavi
of Iran, and every British monarch since Queen Victoria.
In 1940, Neily sold his Fifth Avenue mansion in New York City
to members of the Astor family
but remained living there until his passing from a cerebral hemorrhage while vacationing in Miami Beach, Florida
aboard his yacht in 1942. Following Neily's death Grace Vanderbilt was forced to move out of their massive Fifth Avenue mansion, and moved into a mansion at 1048 Fifth Avenue.
Grace lived another eleven years, and she died on January 7, 1953. They are buried together in the Vanderbilt family mausoleum in the Moravian Cemetery in New Dorp on Staten Island, New York.
Socialite
A socialite is a person who participates in social activities and spends a significant amount of time entertaining and being entertained at fashionable upper-class events....
. She was the wife of Cornelius Vanderbilt III
Cornelius Vanderbilt III
Cornelius Vanderbilt III was a distinguished American military officer, inventor, engineer, and yachtsman, and a member of the prominent American Vanderbilt family.-Biography:...
. She was one of the last Vanderbilts to live the luxurious life of the "head of society" that her predecessors such as Alice and Alva Vanderbilt enjoyed.
Biography
She was born Grace Graham Wilson on September 3, 1870, she was the youngest child of New York banker Richard T. Wilson.She eloped with Cornelius Vanderbilt III
Cornelius Vanderbilt III
Cornelius Vanderbilt III was a distinguished American military officer, inventor, engineer, and yachtsman, and a member of the prominent American Vanderbilt family.-Biography:...
in 1896. This led to a violent disagreement between Neily and his father, which lasted many years. Neily and Grace Vanderbilt remained married for the rest of their lives and had two children, Cornelius Vanderbilt IV
Cornelius Vanderbilt IV
-Biography:He was born on April 30, 1898 in Staten Island to Cornelius Vanderbilt III and Grace Graham Wilson.He attended Harstrom's Tutoring School and St. Paul's as a young man, then served in the Ambulance Service during the First World War where he became a driver when a general asked the...
, who would marry seven times, and a daughter, Grace Vanderbilt II (September 25, 1899 – January 28, 1964).
Following the War, she and her husband frequently returned to Europe, becoming friends and guests of numerous members of European royalty including Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany, and his brother, Prince Henry of Prussia
Prince Henry of Prussia
Frederick Henry Louis , commonly known as Henry , was a Prince of Prussia. He also served as a general and statesman, and, in 1786, was suggested as a candidate for a monarch for the United States....
, King Albert I of Belgium, Crown Prince Olav of Norway
Olav V of Norway
Olav V was the king of Norway from 1957 until his death. A member of the House of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Glücksburg, Olav was born in the United Kingdom as the son of King Haakon VII of Norway and Queen Maud of Norway...
, Queen Marie of Romania, Reza Pahlavi
Reza Pahlavi
Reza Pahlavi may refer to:*Reza Shah , aka Reza Shah Pahlavi, Shah of Persia from 1925 until 1935 and Shah of Iran from 1935 until 1941* Mohammad Reza Pahlavi , Shah of Iran from 1941 to 1979, son of Reza Shah...
of Iran, and every British monarch since Queen Victoria.
In 1940, Neily sold his Fifth Avenue mansion in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
to members of the Astor family
Astor family
The Astor family is a Anglo-American business family of German descent notable for their prominence in business, society, and politics.-Founding family members:...
but remained living there until his passing from a cerebral hemorrhage while vacationing in Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida
Miami Beach is a coastal resort city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States, incorporated on March 26, 1915. The municipality is located on a barrier island between the Atlantic Ocean and Biscayne Bay, the latter which separates the Beach from Miami city proper...
aboard his yacht in 1942. Following Neily's death Grace Vanderbilt was forced to move out of their massive Fifth Avenue mansion, and moved into a mansion at 1048 Fifth Avenue.
Grace lived another eleven years, and she died on January 7, 1953. They are buried together in the Vanderbilt family mausoleum in the Moravian Cemetery in New Dorp on Staten Island, New York.