I do NOT believe, for one second, the Duke of Marlborough was "saddened" or "hurt" by Consuelo. He didn't love her. He never loved her. From what I understand, as Consuelo walked down the aisle, the Duke would not even look at her, even during their wedding vows. The man was forced into the marriage just as much as Consuelo was. The Duke of Marlborough is not a victim here.
Maybe he was upset and saddened, too, which brought out stiffness and a feeling of numbness. I do not believe Consuelo 100%, and providing proof of the letter indicaates she also manipulated the truth, or saw it differently years after the divorce. Our perceptions and memories change over time. It's very likely he didn't love her and he was not the most locquacious of men (in fact he was shy), so she saw it as him being cold.
And the Duke of Marlborough is Sonny Churchill, Winston's favorite cousin. Vanderbilt money helped refurbish Blenheim, the ancestral home of the Churchills... I wonder if Winston and Clementine called Consuelo: GOOMIE as a nick name. But Winston was close to even the ex-wife of his cousin, Sonny
Considering the Duke told his new bride on their honeymoon that he didn't love her and only married her to save his estate I'm not surprised Consuelo held on to what she believed to be her true love. And who knows why he decided not to elope with her. I think its very convenient that the Duke gave his "permission" for Consuelo to follow her dream only to be rejected by her lover. I think not. The Duke had the cards staked in his favor. He wasn't going to allow a public scandal to reduce his image. I think he might have paid off Rutherford. Rutherford would have been scandalized as well. Neither one of them was without fault. Considering Consuelo was 18 at the time of her "forced" marriage. She was a victim. They both were victims. But Sonny had the position of power. He entered into the marriage for the money to save his estate as many of his stature did. And Consuelo was the pawn played by her mother, her husband and society. She wasn't powerful enough to resist and neither was Sonny.
Very well thought out and written comment. From a feminist perspective you absolutely nailed it. He had at least had some power whereas she did had none as a woman and very young at that. As for buying Rutherfurd off. Def could have been the case...and with her money as well. Thanks for your contribution to this thread.
Women had no power outside of the drawing room charities or the domestic world. It was shuttered corseted and with no vote. So going on and on about arranged marriages is tiresome. The women used the men as well.
For a number of years in these so-called “society” families, women were nothing but chattel. Consuelo was justified in telling HER side, as she was nothing but a pawn between the noble and her mother. The treatment of these women was outrageous!!
It was much worse for those lower on the socio-economic ladder. The same laws that hedged-in the wealthy women fell even harder upon the shoulders of the less well off. A rich man could easily arrange the dowery with a fairly large cash down- payment, the rest of the dowry (principle) being held for the offspring of the couple Then, only the profit/interest from the investments (principle) being doled out to the couple. If things did not work out, the daughter of a well-to -do father could leave, be supported by her family and file for a separation from the husband. The husband may have been able to demand the profits/interest. However Daddy could tweak the trust fund assets and allocate/earmark them for his grandchildren.
This isn't actually that shocking. It was the Edwardian era and affairs were all over the place. When planning house parties, hostesses had to be on top of things in order to put the right people in adjoining bedrooms. Both Consuelo and Alva spoke out strongly for women's suffrage, something I am more inclined to remember both of them for!
The actress they chose to play Gladys looks so much like Consuela, and they have obviously styled her very similar so I would not be surprised if that’s how her story goes. It’s so easy to get caught up in the beautiful fashions and seemingly “easy“ duties of affluent women at this time, but so many people overlooked that they had so few choices in regards to who they were married to. It was not uncommon for a teenage girl to be married to a man old enough to be her father or grandfather, and have absolutely zero say in the matter. Even if she met him and disliked him and thought he was repulsive, families could force her to marry.
I am Team Consuelo. Even her mother came around years later and apologized to her daughter for the forced marriage. Conseulo was the most gorgeous woman. Her clothes were just gorgeous and looked so good on her.
Lauren Eras, Lady C, who has a RUclips channel, was best friends with Consuelo’s closest granddaughter, Sarah Spencer Churchill. Lady C knew the scoop. Lol she has said many times that Consuelo was no angel. As much as I wanted her to be. Lol
It could also be the case that Consuelo really felt what she said, and it wasn't about "image". It's completely possible two people could have different interpretations of the same event. Anyways they got what they both wanted - especially the mother who was socially shunned for divorcing the husband
You know you have a point. Studies show that people do remember things differently and as one person who commented said, the truth probably lies in the middle. Glad to hear your thoughts.
And of course we all know that teenage girls and their mothers have hard relationships to start with. ,, and in reality it could’ve just been two different perspectives of the same adolescent life. As someone who taught high school, Let me just say it’s not as easy as it looks in in the end just like with Alba and Consuelo they became good friends.
Others may have made a similar comment, but the young actress who plays the Russell daughter (Taissa Farmiga) in the current series does resemble photographs we have of Consuelo Vanderbilt, unless I am hallucinating. Perhaps the casting people were subconsciously swayed by her appearance.
Taissa said in an interview that she was going for a different part but was cast as Consuelo. I too think it may have been her similarity to Consuelo in appearance. Thanks for joining the converstaton.
Looks like the story line is headed in that direction. If George and Bertha are willing to buy off any love interest that is not nobility....then they are sure to be getting ready to sell Gladys off. Bet that won't happen this season though. Thanks for joining the convsersation.
I think annulments are a funny thing. They don't really make sense to me since children were born so how can the marriage be said to have never happened (in the eyes of the church)? But lucky for Consuelo and good thing she was able to move on. Thanks for thoughts!
failure to consumate a marriage isnt the only reason you can get an annulment, she could have gotten one for fraud or something else. but look at henry 8th he was able to get a divorce and claim he was never married to his first wife. so who knows
@@StephanieMT I agree with the first example. With King Henry the 8thm he started his own church and left the Catholic Church, as the priest refused him the ability to leave his first marriage and get a divorce and move on. So he started the Anglican Church But you are right there are a few reasons for annulments. .
Yes, the last episode showed us just how far George and Bertha will go. I wonder if how long George will stand for Bertha's control of Gladys? Thanks for joining the conversation!
Consuelo has my sympathies...If she was able to snatch a few crumbs of happiness in her other wise gloomy marriage to Sunny...Good for her...Alva was a MONSTER !
She was a monster. She was so obsessed with her daughter marrying well that she overlooked her happiness and basically sold her for a title not caring if she'd ever be happy. She had a sad lonely life except for having her 2 children. She spent the morning of her wedding in her bedroom in her wedding gown alone and crying her eyes out. That was a sign of things to come.
So, the Duke was upset about Consuelo's 1901 affair with her old beau? What about his relationship with Consuelo's friend, Gladys Deacon, who eventually became his second wife? Didn't that relationship begin near the end of the 1890s?
Truth be told, they both had affairs. Consuelo was not the innocent she makes herself out to be and I guess it was pretty well know that the Duke was not keeping his wife's bed warm either. I am sure everyone knew it was an unhappy marriage. Thanks for joining the conversation.
I presume Julian Fellowes, the writer of The Gilded Age, took the name 'Gladys' from Gladys Deacon who, in real life, succeeded Consuelo as Duchess of Marlborough. Unfortunately, yet another unhappy marriage ensued 'though Gladys, as Dowager Duchess, lived to be 96 years old and died only in 1977.
Poor Consuelo sounds like the trauma of being forced to marry so young kept her trapped in her teenage infatuation. The way the problem was him being a simple American but not that he was rather old to be into a 16yo girl is mind blowing. Seems they never really tried to make that marriage work, at least she had a happy relationship in the end.
In the early 1980s there was a museum exhibition called "Treasure Houses of Great Britain: 500 Years of Private Patronage" at the Smithsonian. Besides being probably the best museum exhibition I've ever seen, I was lucky enough to see the Sargeant portrait of the Marlboroughs. Breathtaking.
Just because Consuelo’s husband told his lawyer he was sympathetic to his wife’s heartbreak and love of another man, doesn’t mean he actually was! Clearly, he also loved someone else and the arranged marriage was simply a transaction to benefit others.
Sunny was in love with Gladys what’s her name - and married her. They were two peas in a miserable pod. Glad Consuelo escaped that horrible marriage. Her children were beautiful though just like her.
Alvas’ divorce caused a great scandal. To the point she was shunned from society. She announced the Duke of Marlborough was coming to stay with her and all of a sudden she was again acceptable company as everyone wanted an invitation. Alva had pre-arranged the marriage to the Duke and saw Consuelo as her way back into society. Essentially using her daughter. As a side note, Alvas best friend was Consuelo Yznaga. Alva named her daughter after her. Consuelo Yznaga was one of the women who had an affair with Alvas husbands.😳😳😳
Consuelo’s great great Niece who shares the same name as her great great aunt is a friend of mine. She’s a total sweetheart! I went to her party few years back in NYC.
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney married an American Harry Payne Whitney . It was more of a love match, even though they both had extra marital affairs. Her life was very interesting too. That would be awesome if cousin Gertrude was brought into the storyline on Gilded age.
Yes, I am glad you cleared that up. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was not a dollar bride. She was, by the way, a sculptress and the founder of The Whitney Museum in NYC. Aunt, also, of Gloria Vanderbilt - mother of Anderson Cooper.
I do feel very sorry for Consuelo! Her mother and the Duke arranged this marriage so each one got what they wanted. Consuelo got NOTHING! Neither the mother nor the Duke even cared what Consuelo wanted or how she felt. And the Duke told Consuelo on their honeymoon that he was in love with another woman and married Consuelo only for her money!! I hardly feel compassion for him!! Consuelo told him a few years later about who she had been in love with. So why was the Duke so devastated?? Was he going to lose any of Consuelo's money by annulling their marriage?
No. Legally, once Consuelo and the duke were married, her money became *his* money. A wife usually didn't own anything. So, the duke wouldn't have lost anything financially in the divorce except for, possibly, alimony. Even then, he would not have paid it for long as Consuelo remarried shortly after the divorce. ~ Anastacia in Cleveland
Good presrntation An annulment was needed because the Duke had converted to Roman Catholicism. To remarry in the Church, a civil divorce was not sufficient Consuelo's mother testified before the Church authorities, explaining how she had forced her daughter into the marriage. She and Consuelo developed a better relationship The Duke won his annulment and married. The couple grew apart, separated and never divorced. If he wanted sympathy from the public, he could have written his own book. I suspect he would have preferred doing a striptease in Piccadilly Circus
When I was at school my roommate, whose family was quite well off, multiple homes in desirable places, tennis courts & pools, cars, would get notes from home saying From the desk of: $2 this is all I could spare. Mother
@@samanthab1923 Sorry, I didn't get the point....in your case, perhaps the mother was trying to make the son learn how to live like a regular student, nothing bad about that....
That's one explanation, another one could be that he learnt to love or at least like his wife over the years, sort of like what happened to Robert and Cora in Downton Abby....in any case, being English, perhaps he didn't feel like doing anything to gain the love of his wife, let's not forget that life was different back then.....
@@georgensal He kept his wife's friend as his mistress who later became his second wife, That marriage turned out sour as well, he reputedly had to keep a gun at his side, he was afraid of this wife,
Hi! I think Cora Crawley, née Levinson, was actually inspired by Mary Victoria Leiter, who married George Curzon, Baron Kedleston, who was appointed (I think) Viceroy of India. Anyway, back to Cora. Cora had parallels with Mary as Mary bore three daughters with no heir. Ps. I wouldn’t really take much stock in what Sunny’s great grandson wrote. Firstly, I’m pretty sure he felt he had to salvage the reputation of their family. Secondly, Sunny wasn’t too subtle about telling Consuelo about the woman he loved, plus he spent a lot of Consuelo’s money, not to mention having affairs left and right. Sure, Consuelo was no angel. But Sunny didn’t have clean hands either.
I believe I came across that doing the research and remember thinking how ironic that Princess Diana was in a loveless marriage all for the sake of the dream of marrying a Prince. Thank you for your attention to detail.
The story is told as if we should feel sorry for Consuelo for having a difficult life while being educated and financialy secure. Compared to most at the time she had an enviable life.
That is true. I also think of a person's psycho emotional experience as well. But there is no doubt that having money makes a huge impact on that as aspect of life. Thanks for joining the conversation!
I've been to the Newport Mansions many times and have seen Consuelo's bedroom. Most things in Consuelo's life were tightly controlled by her mother Ava Vanderbilt. Yes, it's better to be rich and live in a mansion than be poor, but Consuelo really didn't have much autonomy in her life. I get a bad feeling when I go into Consuelo's room. Ava chose the colors and furnishings of Consuelo's room and would tell her daughter not to think, but that she would tell her how and what to think.
Dollar princesses were unfortunately very common in that era. I think they both mutually used eachother for their respective benefits. She was no dummy. She was well educated. She was endoctrinated in a culture that prioritized marriage for advantage first and love second. This would have been particularly true in Alva's case. Consuelo's cousin Cornelia married into British aristocracy (the Cecil family) as well.
So, based on one letter, Consuelo gets to be the bad guy? And the Duke is the one to be pitied? Ah,.....no. She was still a teenager while he was a grown adult. She was compelled while he chose to marry her for the money. And who was this letter to? Someone he wanted to make feel sorry for him? It sounds like all the times married men start an affair with my wife doesn't understand me. Poor me, it is all her fault.
There was an old beautiful hotel named The Marlboro-Blenheim. Never knew why it was called that. Unfortunately it’s long gone but it was one of the most elegant of its time.
Her mother Alva turned out to be a wonderful advocate for women !! Helping the suffragette movement .. Alva, her daughter and the Duke all moved on !! And lived happily ever after !
Thinking of new money of dollar heiress ended up marrying royalty in which ended up of a happy ending marriage or miserable ending marriage either way of life, hope Gladys won't end up like Consuelo or any of these dollar heiress marrying royalty to join in of old money society for sending money for royalty to save their selves from ruins.
He needed and took the money from her family and had affairs, so, no sympathy for him. If she had affairs, too, no big deal. Happy that she eventually married for love.
Considering the man was a participant in the transaction that, for money and power, discounted as nothing, a young woman's choice of who to marry, he had a lot to answer for. So much for the good old days that some males yearn for, eh?
The Duke bought into a marriage for huge sums of money to refurbish his Blenheim, like so many of the aristocracy. With Alva's over bearing nature Consuelo confessing her love for Rutherford wouldn't have mattered. They remained married until 1921 but ceased living together in circa 1906. So their marriage, in reality, was only about 10 years, all for appearances.
I’ve never watched the gilded age, I’m Guna Ave to catch up on it cos it’s looks really good, the wardrobe department have done a brilliant job cos the outfits look amazing, I loved the fashion of the dresses in the mid 19th early 20th century.
They separated in 1906 , only 6 years after their marriage...the didn't divorce until 1921. Both saw other people the entire time. The book written by his relative makes Charles out to be a cuckolded husband. He was a selfish snob who used her money. He was having an affair with the woman who would become his 2nd wife for years? They parted and she was so afraid of him she slept with a gun. He had to go to court to have her evicted from the castle.The tenants of Blenheim adored Consuelo as she was kind and generous.
I totally understand keyword saturation in order to get views that I couldn't even make it to halfway in the video before I had to just turn it off. I'm sure it's a great story but it was distracting
Even when people marry by choice real life has a way of changing things and often end in divorce. One learns and changes, so I don't feel sorrow for arranged marriages that work out sometimes better than for love.
I also read Consuelo's several years ago and while I agree with most of Nelsoncluck's comments, I still felt some sympathy for Consuelo given her forced marriage. It is also noteworthy, however, that Consuelo neglected to mention her affair, and the Duke's response to it, in her biography. From having read same, I had the impression that she more intellectually honest than to make such an omission.
I read a book on her. And on her wedding day, Consuelo cried and didn’t want to come out of her room because she didn’t want to marry the man her mother was forcing her to marry. Her mother was forcing Consuelo to marry a British noble because back then rich Americans wanted their daughters to have British titles because it upped their family’s status in society if that happened. And the British noble only married Consuelo because British nobles back then had titles but DIDN’T have money; he married her for her family’s money. Back then, British nobles and rich American daughters married each other for those sole reasons, it was a common practice back then. Consuelo’s mother was materialistic, status hungry and selfish. Consuelo was unhappy in her marriage until she got a divorce/annulment years later.
I am guessing you read her memoir. It is available at my bookshop if anyone cares to support my channel. Here it is: bookshop.org/a/19586/9781250017185
I can see where The Gilded Age is headed with Gladys but Consuelo Vanderbilt was beautiful according to contemporaries, including Winston Churchill. HBO’s actress is fine. But she doesn’t convey the kind of captivating beauty that Consuelo was known for. Her forced marriage was all the more painful because of her potential. With Gladys, a forced marriage to the Duke of Buckingham is just going to make New York think what a lucky girl she is.
I don't see how Consuelo's version was "shattered" by the latter, since the two events reported happened in different ocasions, three years apart. The Duke might have changed his mind after this time living with her, or at lest might have worried about their reputation.
I will say that it’s very difficult to feel sorry for someone who does t have to work three jobs to just put a roof over their head … People are hungry, and are fighting wars. It’s very difficult to feel sorry for her.
Last part of my research she buried in England oxford shire during world war 1 consuelo worked as chair of economic relief committee for American women war relief found she and winartetta singer poliganc worked together in construction of 360 bed hospital destined to provide medical care to middle class workers the result of efforts is fach hospital located in Paris France includes school of nursing and top ranked hospital in France especially for rental transplant commonly called foundation Foch . Iam so sorry to be little long but reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English language as none native speakers iwish for your channel more success and progress stay safe blessed good luck to you your family friends.
I wouldn't doubt it the English high society always looked down on the US high society old or new money no matter they wasn't of the nobility classes as old as Europe's
Consuelo’s book editor may have cut out some of her feelings .. we will never know… The Duke may have loved her in his way but was not “ in love” as Prince Charles once famously said … enchanted and cared for her ..mother of his children. So sad.but fascinating, thank you
All the images about Blenheim Palace, was not Blenheim at all!!!!! It would have been very easy to find a real one, since it is the most famous palace in England because of its size and luxurious exterior and interiors!!! And more, is the place of birth of Sir Winston Churchill !!
8:56 was definitely of Blenheim Palace, the picture has just been taken from the side. Cannot remember what the other images throughout the video were though, so you may be right.
Episode 6 says it seems to be that she will. George and Betha are not timid about spending the money for what they want even if it means poor Gladys is unhappy. Thanks for joining the conversation.
You don’t know that, are you a writer on the show. They can change it up. The real Consuolo moved to UK. I doubt they will write Gladys out of the show!
I have one or two of these books but now I will have to buy each. Hmm will direct my loved ones to this when they ask for my gift list! Thanks! I am a Gilded Age junkie!
I daresay knowing what I do of the the prevailing attitude of aristocratic men towards their wives and the utter disdain the British had for Americans in that period I believe Consuelo's recounts of what what was going on over a grandson trying to whitewash his ancestor's name.
dont like how the grandson of the duke wrote the book when his grandfather only married for money and she was forced into marriage. He is trying to blame Consuelo and make him some sort of saviour. I would not even give that book the time of day.
Yes, it was the trend and no one seemed shy about it. I think it is funny that George seems clueless about why Bertha is so determined to hold Gladys back from society. Families all around them were selling their daughters to nobility so how could he me that clueless. Thanks for your insight.
If you mean the show's writer and the show runners. they changed the name of some of the characters because they wanted to be able to throw in different plot lines that did not necessarily follow the story that is being told. The Russells are based upon some true life people from history but their stories deviate in a number of ways - in fact too numerous to recount here but that is why. Thanks for joining the conversation!
Yes, Almina's GBP 500,000 ( $17,966,428.57 in today's dollars) dowry saved Highclere Castle, and her father was Jewish like Cora's; she was the illegitimate daughter of Alfred de Rothschild. Gertrude Vanderbilt married the literal boy next door. Harry Payne Whitney, and his father's wedding present was the house next door (across W 57th Street actually). Harry's sister Pauline did marry the 1st Baron Queensborough. Millicent Rogers was not married to a British aristocrat in 1895 - she wasn't even born until 1902, and her 1st husband was an Austrian count (the other 2 were Americans). From what I've read, Alva's main reason for her daughter's marriage was to get herself back into society after her divorce from Willie K Vanderbilt: society may snub her; but they wouldn't dare refuse an invitation to meet the Duchess of Marlborough. It's Blenheim Palace, not Castle.Again, from what I've read the Marlborough marriage was annulled at her request as Jacques Balsan's family refused to permit him to marry a divorcee. This was where Alva fessed up and admitted that she forced her daughter into the marriage so that the Catholic Church could declare it void thus allowing her Catholic marriage to Balsan. Considering that the duke was having an affair with Gladys Deacon (from Boston) - that he then married her - and that that marriage ended quite badly, I have no sympathy for him.
The concept of dollar princess in itself is so disgusting. Ppl coming from new money could have easily just invested and made part of this investment an obligation to gain a new title to accommodate their hustle for society status but indeed choice to sold out their daughters. Truly shocked how so cold civiziled ppl behaved and look upon others cultures for doing the exact same. Forced marriage is a crime.
I think the marriage concept is more than a tile for one but for all the children to come from the marriage. In other words a lineage for the price of one daughter. Terrible I agree but widely practiced worldwide thru many generations. Thanks for joining the conversation!
I do NOT believe, for one second, the Duke of Marlborough was "saddened" or "hurt" by Consuelo. He didn't love her. He never loved her. From what I understand, as Consuelo walked down the aisle, the Duke would not even look at her, even during their wedding vows. The man was forced into the marriage just as much as Consuelo was. The Duke of Marlborough is not a victim here.
Maybe he was upset and saddened, too, which brought out stiffness and a feeling of numbness. I do not believe Consuelo 100%, and providing proof of the letter indicaates she also manipulated the truth, or saw it differently years after the divorce. Our perceptions and memories change over time. It's very likely he didn't love her and he was not the most locquacious of men (in fact he was shy), so she saw it as him being cold.
@@huchlvrMaybe it was unreal.
And the Duke of Marlborough is Sonny Churchill, Winston's favorite cousin.
Vanderbilt money helped refurbish Blenheim, the ancestral home of the Churchills...
I wonder if Winston and Clementine called Consuelo: GOOMIE as a nick name. But Winston was close to even the ex-wife of his cousin, Sonny
It would be so interesting to have heard more from you. I suspect you know some little known tidbits.
Thank you, immensly! All concocted in order to sell books.
Considering the Duke told his new bride on their honeymoon that he didn't love her and only married her to save his estate I'm not surprised Consuelo held on to what she believed to be her true love. And who knows why he decided not to elope with her. I think its very convenient that the Duke gave his "permission" for Consuelo to follow her dream only to be rejected by her lover. I think not. The Duke had the cards staked in his favor. He wasn't going to allow a public scandal to reduce his image. I think he might have paid off Rutherford. Rutherford would have been scandalized as well. Neither one of them was without fault. Considering Consuelo was 18 at the time of her "forced" marriage. She was a victim. They both were victims. But Sonny had the position of power. He entered into the marriage for the money to save his estate as many of his stature did. And Consuelo was the pawn played by her mother, her husband and society. She wasn't powerful enough to resist and neither was Sonny.
Very well thought out and written comment. From a feminist perspective you absolutely nailed it. He had at least had some power whereas she did had none as a woman and very young at that. As for buying Rutherfurd off. Def could have been the case...and with her money as well. Thanks for your contribution to this thread.
Women had no power outside of the drawing room charities or the domestic world. It was shuttered corseted and with no vote. So going on and on about arranged marriages is tiresome. The women used the men as well.
For a number of years in these so-called “society” families, women were nothing but chattel. Consuelo was justified in telling HER side, as she was nothing but a pawn between the noble and her mother. The treatment of these women was outrageous!!
It was much worse for those
lower on the socio-economic
ladder. The same laws that
hedged-in the wealthy women
fell even harder upon the
shoulders of the less well
off.
A rich man could easily
arrange the dowery with
a fairly large cash down-
payment, the rest of the
dowry (principle) being held
for the offspring of the couple
Then, only the profit/interest
from the investments (principle)
being doled out to the couple.
If things did not work out,
the daughter of a well-to
-do father could leave,
be supported by her
family and file for a
separation from the
husband.
The husband may have
been able to demand
the profits/interest.
However Daddy could
tweak the trust fund assets
and allocate/earmark them
for his grandchildren.
There's always 2 sides of a story and both parties were pressured into marriage.Tragic but I'm glad Consuelo finally found love.
This isn't actually that shocking. It was the Edwardian era and affairs were all over the place. When planning house parties, hostesses had to be on top of things in order to put the right people in adjoining bedrooms. Both Consuelo and Alva spoke out strongly for women's suffrage, something I am more inclined to remember both of them for!
Thanks for joining the conversation!
The actress they chose to play Gladys looks so much like Consuela, and they have obviously styled her very similar so I would not be surprised if that’s how her story goes. It’s so easy to get caught up in the beautiful fashions and seemingly “easy“ duties of affluent women at this time, but so many people overlooked that they had so few choices in regards to who they were married to. It was not uncommon for a teenage girl to be married to a man old enough to be her father or grandfather, and have absolutely zero say in the matter. Even if she met him and disliked him and thought he was repulsive, families could force her to marry.
I know. Women have been considered currency for eons. Thanks for contributing to the conversation.
That is Vera Farmiga,s daughter. She's had a few parts to date. As has Vera.
@@mr.rightnow.7300 Vera and Taissa Farmiga are siblings
@@mr.rightnow.7300 she's her sister actually
I am Team Consuelo. Even her mother came around years later and apologized to her daughter for the forced marriage. Conseulo was the most gorgeous woman. Her clothes were just gorgeous and looked so good on her.
I'm going to believe what Consuelo said directly in her book than what a great grandchild 'discovers' saying how 'wronged' the man really was. Nope!
Of course the great grandson wants to redeem his family history so who knows for sure? I like the way you said this, thanks for your input.
Lauren Eras, Lady C, who has a RUclips channel, was best friends with Consuelo’s closest granddaughter, Sarah Spencer Churchill. Lady C knew the scoop. Lol she has said many times that Consuelo was no angel. As much as I wanted her to be. Lol
@@Gilded-girl
Like Consuelo, Princess
Diana was no angel.
On the eve of her
wedding to Prince
Charles he told her
that he was not in
love with her.
I believe the grandson
American burn the letters. Brits' correspondence winds up in family archives.
It could also be the case that Consuelo really felt what she said, and it wasn't about "image". It's completely possible two people could have different interpretations of the same event. Anyways they got what they both wanted - especially the mother who was socially shunned for divorcing the husband
You know you have a point. Studies show that people do remember things differently and as one person who commented said, the truth probably lies in the middle. Glad to hear your thoughts.
durian land, that is what I thought as well.
@@fabulouswomeninhistory yes, omg thanks for making these videos, it's feeding on my the Gilded Age addiction lol
And of course we all know that teenage girls and their mothers have hard relationships to start with.
,, and in reality it could’ve just been two different perspectives of the same adolescent life. As someone who taught high school,
Let me just say it’s not as easy as it looks in in the end just like with Alba and Consuelo they became good friends.
Even as a child you can see the sadness in Consuelo's eyes
Yes, I see that now that you pointed that out. Thanks forthe insight.
The actress is extraordinary!
Others may have made a similar comment, but the young actress who plays the Russell daughter (Taissa Farmiga) in the current series does resemble photographs we have of Consuelo Vanderbilt, unless I am hallucinating. Perhaps the casting people were subconsciously swayed by her appearance.
Taissa said in an interview that she was going for a different part but was cast as Consuelo. I too think it may have been her similarity to Consuelo in appearance. Thanks for joining the converstaton.
When you look at that picture at 6.05 I very much see a resemblance.
Yep. That's what I'm afraid of. That Bertha is going to force Gladys to marry a British lord for his title. ♚
Looks like the story line is headed in that direction. If George and Bertha are willing to buy off any love interest that is not nobility....then they are sure to be getting ready to sell Gladys off. Bet that won't happen this season though. Thanks for joining the convsersation.
Consuelo was such a shocking example of being pushed into a marriage that she didn't want that she was issued an annulment.
I think annulments are a funny thing. They don't really make sense to me since children were born so how can the marriage be said to have never happened (in the eyes of the church)? But lucky for Consuelo and good thing she was able to move on. Thanks for thoughts!
failure to consumate a marriage isnt the only reason you can get an annulment, she could have gotten one for fraud or something else. but look at henry 8th he was able to get a divorce and claim he was never married to his first wife. so who knows
@@fabulouswomeninhistory and remember Alva had to actually testify at court that she coerced her daughter into the marriage.
@@StephanieMT I agree with the first example.
With King Henry the 8thm he started his own church and left the Catholic Church, as the priest refused him the ability to leave his first marriage and get a divorce and move on. So he started the Anglican Church
But you are right there are a few reasons for annulments. .
I think we all know what's coming for poor Gladys 🙁😬
Yes, the last episode showed us just how far George and Bertha will go. I wonder if how long George will stand for Bertha's control of Gladys? Thanks for joining the conversation!
Yup. Perhaps this is the true “American Horror Story.”
Consuelo has my sympathies...If she was able to snatch a few crumbs of happiness in her other wise gloomy marriage to Sunny...Good for her...Alva was a MONSTER !
Thanks for being here and letting us know your thoughts!
She was a monster. She was so obsessed with her daughter marrying well that she overlooked her happiness and basically sold her for a title not caring if she'd ever be happy. She had a sad lonely life except for having her 2 children. She spent the morning of her wedding in her bedroom in her wedding gown alone and crying her eyes out. That was a sign of things to come.
I am eagerly awaiting season 3 even more now to know the outcome of her love.
Well, they could cetainly milk this storyline for a couiple of more seasons than just season 3. Thanks for joining the conversation!
So, the Duke was upset about Consuelo's 1901 affair with her old beau? What about his relationship with Consuelo's friend, Gladys Deacon, who eventually became his second wife? Didn't that relationship begin near the end of the 1890s?
Truth be told, they both had affairs. Consuelo was not the innocent she makes herself out to be and I guess it was pretty well know that the Duke was not keeping his wife's bed warm either. I am sure everyone knew it was an unhappy marriage. Thanks for joining the conversation.
@@fabulouswomeninhistory But Consuelo's affairs had been known for years. It's not exactly recent news.
I presume Julian Fellowes, the writer of The Gilded Age, took the name 'Gladys' from Gladys Deacon who, in real life, succeeded Consuelo as Duchess of Marlborough. Unfortunately, yet another unhappy marriage ensued 'though Gladys, as Dowager Duchess, lived to be 96 years old and died only in 1977.
Poor Consuelo sounds like the trauma of being forced to marry so young kept her trapped in her teenage infatuation. The way the problem was him being a simple American but not that he was rather old to be into a 16yo girl is mind blowing. Seems they never really tried to make that marriage work, at least she had a happy relationship in the end.
I like what you said. Yes she seemed to be trapped and in the end, it was good how it all worked out. Thanks for sharing.
In the early 1980s there was a museum exhibition called "Treasure Houses of Great Britain: 500 Years of Private Patronage" at the Smithsonian. Besides being probably the best museum exhibition I've ever seen, I was lucky enough to see the Sargeant portrait of the Marlboroughs. Breathtaking.
Just because Consuelo’s husband told his lawyer he was sympathetic to his wife’s heartbreak and love of another man, doesn’t mean he actually was! Clearly, he also loved someone else and the arranged marriage was simply a transaction to benefit others.
Yes, that could very well be the way it was. Thanks for joining the conversation!
Sunny was in love with Gladys what’s her name - and married her. They were two peas in a miserable pod. Glad Consuelo escaped that horrible marriage. Her children were beautiful though just like her.
Alvas’ divorce caused a great scandal.
To the point she was shunned from society.
She announced the Duke of Marlborough was coming to stay with her and all of a sudden she was again acceptable company as everyone wanted an invitation.
Alva had pre-arranged the marriage to the Duke and saw Consuelo as her way back into society.
Essentially using her daughter.
As a side note, Alvas best friend was Consuelo Yznaga.
Alva named her daughter after her.
Consuelo Yznaga was one of the women who had an affair with Alvas husbands.😳😳😳
Love it when more details are added to the conversation!
Consuelo’s great great Niece who shares the same name as her great great aunt is a friend of mine. She’s a total sweetheart! I went to her party few years back in NYC.
Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney married an American Harry Payne Whitney . It was more of a love match, even though they both had extra marital affairs. Her life was very interesting too. That would be awesome if cousin Gertrude was brought into the storyline on Gilded age.
Good idea! Thanks for joining the conversation!
Yes, I am glad you cleared that up. Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney was not a dollar bride. She was, by the way, a sculptress and the founder of The Whitney Museum in NYC. Aunt, also, of Gloria Vanderbilt - mother of Anderson Cooper.
I do feel very sorry for Consuelo! Her mother and the Duke arranged this marriage so each one got what they wanted. Consuelo got NOTHING! Neither the mother nor the Duke even cared what Consuelo wanted or how she felt. And the Duke told Consuelo on their honeymoon that he was in love with another woman and married Consuelo only for her money!! I hardly feel compassion for him!! Consuelo told him a few years later about who she had been in love with. So why was the Duke so devastated?? Was he going to lose any of Consuelo's money by annulling their marriage?
That's a thought. I wonder what happened to the money when the divorce came through. Thanks for joining the conversaton.
No. Legally, once Consuelo and the duke were married, her money became *his* money. A wife usually didn't own anything. So, the duke wouldn't have lost anything financially in the divorce except for, possibly, alimony. Even then, he would not have paid it for long as Consuelo remarried shortly after the divorce. ~ Anastacia in Cleveland
On second thought, would an annulment have required the duke to pay her dowry back ? 🤔 Well, it must have been long gone by then.
Good presrntation
An annulment was needed because the Duke had converted to Roman Catholicism. To remarry in the Church, a civil divorce was not sufficient
Consuelo's mother testified before the Church authorities, explaining how she had forced her daughter into the marriage. She and Consuelo developed a better relationship
The Duke won his annulment and married. The couple grew apart, separated and never divorced.
If he wanted sympathy from the public, he could have written his own book. I suspect he would have preferred doing a striptease in Piccadilly Circus
Thanks for the additional info. There is only so much I can get into a video. Always good when others contribute. 😎
The Duke's letter to his attorney is less convincing than a letter to a friend would be. Just saying...
When I was at school my roommate, whose family was quite well off, multiple homes in desirable places, tennis courts & pools, cars, would get notes from home saying From the desk of: $2 this is all I could spare. Mother
Good point, I hadn't thought of that. Thanks for the insight.
@@samanthab1923 Sorry, I didn't get the point....in your case, perhaps the mother was trying to make the son learn how to live like a regular student, nothing bad about that....
That's one explanation, another one could be that he learnt to love or at least like his wife over the years, sort of like what happened to Robert and Cora in Downton Abby....in any case, being English, perhaps he didn't feel like doing anything to gain the love of his wife, let's not forget that life was different back then.....
@@georgensal He kept his wife's friend as his mistress who later became his second wife, That marriage turned out sour as well, he reputedly had to keep a gun at his side, he was afraid of this wife,
It's interesting that she was buried in England.
Correct she was buried alongside her younger son in the churchyard at St Martin's Church, Oxfordshire, England.
Why I thought she was buried in Florida?
Hi! I think Cora Crawley, née Levinson, was actually inspired by Mary Victoria Leiter, who married George Curzon, Baron Kedleston, who was appointed (I think) Viceroy of India. Anyway, back to Cora. Cora had parallels with Mary as Mary bore three daughters with no heir.
Ps. I wouldn’t really take much stock in what Sunny’s great grandson wrote. Firstly, I’m pretty sure he felt he had to salvage the reputation of their family. Secondly, Sunny wasn’t too subtle about telling Consuelo about the woman he loved, plus he spent a lot of Consuelo’s money, not to mention having affairs left and right. Sure, Consuelo was no angel. But Sunny didn’t have clean hands either.
Thanks for your thoughts. Appreciate a good thinker.
6:00 Frances Ellen Work was also the maternal great-grandmother of Princess Diana.
I believe I came across that doing the research and remember thinking how ironic that Princess Diana was in a loveless marriage all for the sake of the dream of marrying a Prince. Thank you for your attention to detail.
What people do for money and a title and to belong to a certain social class is despicable.
It does seem pretty awful.
This is not the only despicable thing people did and do 😢
And the Duke was absolutely sqeeky clean. Bull feces!
Consuelo was such a natural beauty! Another great video! Thank you👏🏻
She was beautiful and at least there was a happy ending to her life. Thanks for the feedback. Always appreciated.!
The story is told as if we should feel sorry for Consuelo for having a difficult life while being educated and financialy secure. Compared to most at the time she had an enviable life.
That is true. I also think of a person's psycho emotional experience as well. But there is no doubt that having money makes a huge impact on that as aspect of life. Thanks for joining the conversation!
I've been to the Newport Mansions many times and have seen Consuelo's bedroom. Most things in Consuelo's life were tightly controlled by her mother Ava Vanderbilt. Yes, it's better to be rich and live in a mansion than be poor, but Consuelo really didn't have much autonomy in her life. I get a bad feeling when I go into Consuelo's room. Ava chose the colors and furnishings of Consuelo's room and would tell her daughter not to think, but that she would tell her how and what to think.
Wow! I just recently found this Chanel, I love it! I have been to the mansions in Newport Rhode Island and it is fascinating and beautiful.❤️
I’m hoping there is a twist where Gladys runs off with someone she actually loves…..after all, Julian Fellows loves throwing curse balls!
Yes that would be great. I think we are all rooting for her. Thanks for your thoughts.
I do think they will do an abbreviated version of Consuelo's life. I mean that's more interesting TV.
Dollar princesses were unfortunately very common in that era. I think they both mutually used eachother for their respective benefits. She was no dummy. She was well educated. She was endoctrinated in a culture that prioritized marriage for advantage first and love second. This would have been particularly true in Alva's case. Consuelo's cousin Cornelia married into British aristocracy (the Cecil family) as well.
Good insight and additional info. Thanks for adding to the discussion.
So, based on one letter, Consuelo gets to be the bad guy? And the Duke is the one to be pitied? Ah,.....no. She was still a teenager while he was a grown adult. She was compelled
while he chose to marry her for the money. And who was this letter to? Someone he wanted to make feel sorry for him? It sounds like all the times married men start an affair
with my wife doesn't understand me. Poor me, it is all her fault.
Thanks for joining the conversation! Love hearing your thoughts and you make some good points for sure.
There was an old beautiful hotel named The Marlboro-Blenheim. Never knew why it was called that. Unfortunately it’s long gone but it was one of the most elegant of its time.
Thanks for joining the conversation!
Her mother Alva turned out to be a wonderful advocate for women !! Helping the suffragette movement .. Alva, her daughter and the Duke all moved on !! And lived happily ever after !
Joined together in a loveless marriage, I don't blame them for seeking their own happiness elsewhere.
So interesting, thank you. I was never able to wrap my head around Consuelo’s consent to her first marriage.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Thinking of new money of dollar heiress ended up marrying royalty in which ended up of a happy ending marriage or miserable ending marriage either way of life, hope Gladys won't end up like Consuelo or any of these dollar heiress marrying royalty to join in of old money society for sending money for royalty to save their selves from ruins.
I think what we saw in episode 6 says otherwise...at least Consuelo was able to marry for love in the end. Thanks for commenting.
Wow I was ten years old when she passed on.
He needed and took the money from her family and had affairs, so, no sympathy for him. If she had affairs, too, no big deal. Happy that she eventually married for love.
Agreed! Thanks for joining the conversation!
Considering the man was a participant in the transaction that, for money and power, discounted as nothing, a young woman's choice of who to marry, he had a lot to answer for. So much for the good old days that some males yearn for, eh?
I don't believe in forced marriages but to marry for love.
The Duke bought into a marriage for huge sums of money to refurbish his Blenheim, like so many of the aristocracy. With Alva's over bearing nature Consuelo confessing her love for Rutherford wouldn't have mattered. They remained married until 1921 but ceased living together in circa 1906. So their marriage, in reality, was only about 10 years, all for appearances.
I’ve never watched the gilded age, I’m Guna Ave to catch up on it cos it’s looks really good, the wardrobe department have done a brilliant job cos the outfits look amazing, I loved the fashion of the dresses in the mid 19th early 20th century.
It's so good!
They separated in 1906 , only 6 years after their marriage...the didn't divorce until 1921. Both saw other people the entire time. The book written by his relative makes Charles out to be a cuckolded husband. He was a selfish snob who used her money. He was having an affair with the woman who would become his 2nd wife for years? They parted and she was so afraid of him she slept with a gun. He had to go to court to have her evicted from the castle.The tenants of Blenheim adored Consuelo as she was kind and generous.
Thanks for this videos because it shows all that glitters is not gold.
Thanks for joining the conversation!
I believe Consuelo.
I totally understand keyword saturation in order to get views that I couldn't even make it to halfway in the video before I had to just turn it off. I'm sure it's a great story but it was distracting
sadly this is what family did to the children from well off family
The truth is somewhere in the middle
We will see. My guess is that the worst will happen in season 2. Thanks for giving us your thoughts.
Enjoyed the backstory. It was the situations of the time. Love wins in the end as always.
Glad you enjoyed it and I think we are all glad that Consuelo found love in the end.
@@fabulouswomeninhistory Yes we do and thank you.
Wonderful documentary! Gratitude for sharing…
Glad you enjoyed it!
Even when people marry by choice real life has a way of changing things and often end in divorce. One learns and changes, so I don't feel sorrow for arranged marriages that work out sometimes better than for love.
Thanks for your thoughts.
Such an outstanding series ❤❤❤❤
Gives whole new meaning to “helicopter mother”.
:)
Another great video! I am so enjoying these. Keep them coming.
Glad you like them!
I also read Consuelo's several years ago and while I agree with most of Nelsoncluck's comments, I still felt some sympathy for Consuelo given her forced marriage. It is also noteworthy, however, that Consuelo neglected to mention her affair, and the Duke's response to it, in her biography. From having read same, I had the impression that she more intellectually honest than to make such an omission.
I read a book on her. And on her wedding day, Consuelo cried and didn’t want to come out of her room because she didn’t want to marry the man her mother was forcing her to marry. Her mother was forcing Consuelo to marry a British noble because back then rich Americans wanted their daughters to have British titles because it upped their family’s status in society if that happened. And the British noble only married Consuelo because British nobles back then had titles but DIDN’T have money; he married her for her family’s money. Back then, British nobles and rich American daughters married each other for those sole reasons, it was a common practice back then. Consuelo’s mother was materialistic, status hungry and selfish.
Consuelo was unhappy in her marriage until she got a divorce/annulment years later.
I am guessing you read her memoir. It is available at my bookshop if anyone cares to support my channel. Here it is: bookshop.org/a/19586/9781250017185
This was quite a drain on America. I wonder where the US would be now if the money had been invested here instead of Britain.
I can see where The Gilded Age is headed with Gladys but Consuelo Vanderbilt was beautiful according to contemporaries, including Winston Churchill. HBO’s actress is fine. But she doesn’t convey the kind of captivating beauty that Consuelo was known for. Her forced marriage was all the more painful because of her potential. With Gladys, a forced marriage to the Duke of Buckingham is just going to make New York think what a lucky girl she is.
I don't see how Consuelo's version was "shattered" by the latter, since the two events reported happened in different ocasions, three years apart. The Duke might have changed his mind after this time living with her, or at lest might have worried about their reputation.
I will say that it’s very difficult to feel sorry for someone who does t have to work three jobs to just put a roof over their head …
People are hungry, and are fighting wars.
It’s very difficult to feel sorry for her.
Gertrude Vanderbilt did not marry into British aristocracy. Harry Payne Whitney was US born & bred.
Hey thanks for pointing that out. I didn't double check my source so glad you caught that and thanks for bringing that to our attention.
Gertrude became a talented artist and sculptor who founded the Whitney Museum in NYC.
Last part of my research she buried in England oxford shire during world war 1 consuelo worked as chair of economic relief committee for American women war relief found she and winartetta singer poliganc worked together in construction of 360 bed hospital destined to provide medical care to middle class workers the result of efforts is fach hospital located in Paris France includes school of nursing and top ranked hospital in France especially for rental transplant commonly called foundation Foch . Iam so sorry to be little long but reading and writing both are great ways to improve our English language as none native speakers iwish for your channel more success and progress stay safe blessed good luck to you your family friends.
Yes, Consuelo was a great philanthropist and did much to help others. Thanks for joining the conversation!
I wouldn't doubt it the English high society always looked down on the US high society old or new money no matter they wasn't of the nobility classes as old as Europe's
For sure. Thanks for your thoughts.
Consuelo’s book editor may have cut out some of her feelings .. we will never know… The Duke may have loved her in his way but was not “ in love” as Prince Charles once famously said … enchanted and cared for her ..mother of his children.
So sad.but fascinating, thank you
All the images about Blenheim Palace, was not Blenheim at all!!!!! It would have been very easy to find a real one, since it is the most famous palace in England because of its size and luxurious exterior and interiors!!! And more, is the place of birth of Sir Winston Churchill !!
8:56 was definitely of Blenheim Palace, the picture has just been taken from the side. Cannot remember what the other images throughout the video were though, so you may be right.
I hope Gladys doesn’t have the same fate as Consuolo.
Episode 6 says it seems to be that she will. George and Betha are not timid about spending the money for what they want even if it means poor Gladys is unhappy. Thanks for joining the conversation.
You don’t know that, are you a writer on the show. They can change it up. The real Consuolo moved to UK. I doubt they will write Gladys out of the show!
👍 THE GILDED AGE SEASON 2 IS HERE !!! New Plot Lines With Even More Drama Ahead! Teaser/Trailer ► ruclips.net/video/jix7QY-iMIE/видео.html
was consuelo a latino or hispanic? she looks mexican, latin decent?
I have one or two of these books but now I will have to buy each. Hmm will direct my loved ones to this when they ask for my gift list! Thanks! I am a Gilded Age junkie!
It’s an eye opening book.
Very informative well done , thank you
Glad you enjoyed it
I daresay knowing what I do of the the prevailing attitude of aristocratic men towards their wives and the utter disdain the British had for Americans in that period I believe Consuelo's recounts of what what was going on over a grandson trying to whitewash his ancestor's name.
Good point. Thanks for joining the conversation!
Alva was a real piece of work. That woman was ruthless.
Any more ruthless than the robber barons? Just different goals. In my book, she falls under the fierce banner!
@@fabulouswomeninhistory Oh she was definitely that!
dont like how the grandson of the duke wrote the book when his grandfather only married for money and she was forced into marriage. He is trying to blame Consuelo and make him some sort of saviour. I would not even give that book the time of day.
You make a good point. Thanks for commenting and sharing your thoughts!
The Dukes second wife kept a loader revolver under her pillow ! The poor Duke ! Never loved!
Yes, I think Gladys will have the same fate as Consuelo did.
That is the general consesus but one never knows with Fellowes!
Jay Gould’s daughters married into French aristocracy. I suspect Mrs. Gould’s goal for her daughter is the same. So much for American values.
They all wanted titles for cash
“Mrs. Russell”.... I can’t type tonight 😂
Yes, it was the trend and no one seemed shy about it. I think it is funny that George seems clueless about why Bertha is so determined to hold Gladys back from society. Families all around them were selling their daughters to nobility so how could he me that clueless. Thanks for your insight.
In the end Consuelo was her mother's daughter - a manipulator.
There's no link to Consuelo's book!!
Good for Consuelo 💞
Thanks for joining the conversation!
Did most of this occur after the Vanderbilt divorce and Alva's social status was erased or what? Not following the actual 'behind the scenes'...
Yes, people say that a lot of it was because Alva's needed to reinstate her status after her divorce. Thanks for joining the conversation!
But this people they don't realize our beginning we're all nothing..like eve and adam..
We became more rebellious. Two strong personalities for sure. I love how she was able to spend time with her fantasy love...if even for a short time
Yes, happy endings are nice! Thanks for joining the conversation!
Although he got his castle repaired.
So. Glad Alva's husband left her for a French woman. Consuleo ended up with a French pilot years later. Sunny got what he paid for.
Why did they change their names since they used others like Astors schermahorn macallister etc.
.
If you mean the show's writer and the show runners. they changed the name of some of the characters because they wanted to be able to throw in different plot lines that did not necessarily follow the story that is being told. The Russells are based upon some true life people from history but their stories deviate in a number of ways - in fact too numerous to recount here but that is why. Thanks for joining the conversation!
These are fascinating stories of fascinating women. I thank you for sharing all of them with us!❤
The movie “ The Buccaneers “ shows the American heiresses in England
Another Edith Wharton novel that I am sure must have inspired Julian Fellowes (the writer of TGA). Thanks for your thoughts.
They each wanted an amount of time . She didn't have her mother's love or her husband's. You look at the time left.. go for happiness
Good thinking. Thanks for your thoughts.
Yes, Almina's GBP 500,000 ( $17,966,428.57 in today's dollars) dowry saved Highclere Castle, and her father was Jewish like Cora's; she was the illegitimate daughter of Alfred de Rothschild. Gertrude Vanderbilt married the literal boy next door. Harry Payne Whitney, and his father's wedding present was the house next door (across W 57th Street actually). Harry's sister Pauline did marry the 1st Baron Queensborough. Millicent Rogers was not married to a British aristocrat in 1895 - she wasn't even born until 1902, and her 1st husband was an Austrian count (the other 2 were Americans). From what I've read, Alva's main reason for her daughter's marriage was to get herself back into society after her divorce from Willie K Vanderbilt: society may snub her; but they wouldn't dare refuse an invitation to meet the Duchess of Marlborough. It's Blenheim Palace, not Castle.Again, from what I've read the Marlborough marriage was annulled at her request as Jacques Balsan's family refused to permit him to marry a divorcee. This was where Alva fessed up and admitted that she forced her daughter into the marriage so that the Catholic Church could declare it void thus allowing her Catholic marriage to Balsan. Considering that the duke was having an affair with Gladys Deacon (from Boston) - that he then married her - and that that marriage ended quite badly, I have no sympathy for him.
The concept of dollar princess in itself is so disgusting. Ppl coming from new money could have easily just invested and made part of this investment an obligation to gain a new title to accommodate their hustle for society status but indeed choice to sold out their daughters. Truly shocked how so cold civiziled ppl behaved and look upon others cultures for doing the exact same. Forced marriage is a crime.
I think the marriage concept is more than a tile for one but for all the children to come from the marriage. In other words a lineage for the price of one daughter. Terrible I agree but widely practiced worldwide thru many generations. Thanks for joining the conversation!
How's Rockefeller family story
Neither doubt her story nor her feeling of needing to justify her decision for Divorce.
Thanks for joining the conversation!
I think it's sad. Very much.
Nothing in that letter discounts what she was saying in her memoir
How do you get an annulment after 26 years and 2 kids
Yes
Interesting.
Thank you💕🇺🇲
Glad you enjoyed it