To simply call Brooke Astor a social butterfly is missing the point. The queen of New York City high society, Mrs. Astor was a down-to-earth socialite who felt as at home in the tenements and churches of Harlem – the recipients of many of her generous grants – as in the pre-war mansions of the Upper East Side . She rarely missed a night of dancing, but her days were spent helping the less fortunate.
Mrs. Astor’s favorite quote, from Thornton Wilder’s “The Matchmaker,” was, “Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around.” By the time she passed away at 105, she had spread around more than $195 million, helping countless people learn to spread their own wings and fly.
Affectionately considered the First Lady of New York, Mrs. Astor made the city a better place by not only funding local community groups and prestigious institutions, but by actually spending time with the people there.
In fact, for her 100th birthday, the Grand Dame – who could have celebrated any way imaginable – chose to have a luncheon with 100 librarians. Although Mrs. Astor’s wealth didn’t guarantee her a happily-ever-after ending (read Francine Kiernan’s fascinating “The Last Mrs. Astor” for the sordid details), there’s no question the life she led was rich.
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