11 Intriguing Details About the Astor Family

The Astor family's journey began with a German immigrant who arrived in America penniless and eventually became relatives of Queen Elizabeth II. Their tale is one of relentless ambition, cunning business strategies, elitism, and astute real estate investments. For over a century, they held the title of America's wealthiest family, with their strategic marriages connecting them to some of the most politically influential households. Discover 11 captivating facts about this remarkable dynasty.

1. A portion of the Astor wealth was built on the illicit trade of drugs.

The Astor family's fortune began in the fur trade, driven by the sharp yet unscrupulous business strategies of their patriarch, John Jacob Astor I. After experimenting with his father's trade as a butcher and his brother's craft as an instrument maker, John I moved to America in 1783. During his journey, he gained knowledge about the fur industry.

Constantly seeking new ventures, he started trading with China around 1800. However, since the Chinese were reluctant to accept Western products, Astor turned to the profitable opium smuggling business by 1816.

Opium was initially prohibited in China in 1729 to curb a rising addiction crisis, yet 115 metric tons were still imported by 1798. With the British controlling India's opium supply, Astor secured massive amounts from Turkish sources, smuggling them in using small ships and substantial bribes. Between 1816 and 1825, opium smuggling into China surged; by 1839, 2500 metric tons were entering the country just from India.

Astor amassed millions from a trade that future U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt called “fair, honorable, and legitimate.” He reinvested these profits into importing tea, porcelain, and silks to America, earning enormous returns. Astor then channeled his wealth into New York real estate, becoming the nation's first millionaire by the time of his death in 1848.

2. John Jacob Astor I’s spouse was so skilled in business that she allegedly charged him $500 per hour.

John wed Sarah Cox Todd in 1785. As the daughter of his landlady, she brought a $300 dowry and valuable connections to sea captains, merchants, shopkeepers, and shipowners. Her dowry enabled them to establish their first shop selling musical instruments, which eventually paved the way for investments in the fur trade.

Astor often referred to his wife as “the finest business partner any man could hope for.” He consistently acknowledged Sarah’s role in his achievements, not only for the connections she provided and the financial freedom her dowry offered but also for her sharp business sense. Sarah’s expertise in furs grew until she became a leading authority on high-quality pelts. She managed their New York operations whenever John was absent.

Sarah was astute, frugal, and brilliant, actively participating in both daily operations and long-term strategies for business expansion. She persuaded John to venture into real estate, which became the cornerstone of their immense wealth.

By the time of her death, their success was so immense that John reportedly compensated her $500 an hour for her contributions, which she dedicated to religious endeavors.

3. Caroline Schermerhorn Astor dominated America’s elite social circle, famously referred to as the “four hundred.”

During the 1880s and 1890s in New York, wealth alone wasn’t enough to secure a place in high society. In the rapidly evolving and socially fluid America of the Gilded Age, what truly mattered was having the right kind of wealth.

While America lacked a formal class system like Europe’s, families tracing their lineage to New York’s earliest settlers and inheriting their wealth viewed themselves as the nation’s aristocracy. Those amassing fortunes from emerging industries, such as railroads, were seen as newcomers. Despite often being wealthier than the established elite, they were never fully accepted into their ranks.

The Astors stood at the pinnacle of these established families. A century after the self-made John Jacob Astor I, they considered themselves superior in New York society due to their old-money status. Caroline Schermerhorn, descended from Dutch settlers who arrived in Manhattan in the 1600s, initially viewed the Astors as inferior to her own lineage when she married William Backhouse Astor II, John I’s grandson, in 1853.

Caroline positioned herself as the leader of high society, creating a social hierarchy based on her strict standards of etiquette, behavior, and lineage, famously known as The Four Hundred. Rumor has it the number was chosen because it matched the capacity of the Astor ballroom. Regardless, being part of this elite group was crucial for anyone aspiring to prominence in New York. Ambitious social climbers would devise strategies to win Mrs. Astor’s favor. However, as the Vanderbilts and others learned, her approval was hard to secure—and her decisions were absolute.

4. A feud over the title of Mrs. Astor divided the family.

William Backhouse Astor Sr., the second son of John Jacob Astor I, inherited the family fortune and passed it on to his two sons, John III and William Backhouse Jr. However, his hope for family harmony was disrupted by a dispute over who would hold the prestigious title of Mrs. Astor.

The wives of John III and William Jr. were traditionally addressed as Mrs. John Charlotte Astor and Mrs. William Caroline “Lina” Astor. After Charlotte’s death in 1877, Lina insisted on being referred to simply as Mrs. Astor, sparking tension within the family.

The Astors upheld the tradition of elder sons holding priority, and William Waldorf Astor, Charlotte’s son, was deeply offended by what seemed like a trivial act undermining his family’s seniority. He also saw it as a slight to his wife, Mary, whom he regarded as the family’s foremost matriarch.

After John III passed away three years later, William Waldorf assumed the role of family patriarch. Leveraging his new authority, he attempted to convince his Aunt Lina to abandon the title, but she refused, determined to preserve her social standing. She remained known as the Mrs. Astor.

Though William Waldorf had to yield, he exacted his revenge, sparking a long-standing feud between the two family branches. The brothers, John III and William II, had resided in adjacent homes on 5th Avenue. After John’s death, his son razed their house in 1893 and constructed the 13-story Waldorf Hotel on the property, directly next to Aunt Lina.

For three years, she endured living beside a construction site. The embarrassment of her exclusive neighborhood turning into a bustling tourist hub became unbearable, and she eventually agreed to relocate. However, her ordeal didn’t end there—her new residence was further up 5th Avenue, surrounded by nouveau riche families.

In classic Astor style, her son, John Jacob Astor IV, turned the situation into a profitable venture. Emulating his cousin, he tore down the family mansion and erected a 16-story hotel named the Astoria in 1897. That same year, the family combined the two hotels into a new enterprise: The Waldorf-Astoria Hotel. The original building was demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building.

5. William Waldorf Astor relocated the primary branch of the family to Britain.

The conflict with his aunt led to unforeseen consequences for William Waldorf Astor. Not only did it propel him into the hospitality industry, but it also prompted his move to Britain.

Though born in New York, William Waldorf spent his formative years in Italy and Germany, cultivating a deep appreciation for European culture. After returning to America to study law and briefly dabbling in politics—including an unsuccessful congressional campaign—he moved back to Europe in 1882, serving as the U.S. Minister to Italy for three years.

Following his father’s death in February 1890, William Waldorf reportedly inherited $100 million. Disheartened by his political failures, distressed by the feud with his aunt and her son, and mocked by the U.S. press, he declared America “no longer suitable for a gentleman’s residence” and relocated his family and business interests to Britain.

He maintained his political involvement, generously supporting the Conservative Party. Despite his disdain for the American media, he acquired several British publications, including The Observer newspaper. In 1899, he became a British citizen, and in 1917, King George V elevated him to the peerage as the 1st Viscount Astor of Hever.

6. The Astors once owned Hever Castle, the childhood residence of Anne Boleyn.

Hever Castle in Kent, constructed in 1270, is most famously associated with the Boleyn family, who owned it from 1462 to 1540. It served as Anne Boleyn’s childhood home, and after her return from France in 1522, she often stayed there with her parents, attracting Henry VIII to visit multiple times during their courtship. Later, Henry’s fourth wife, Anne of Cleves, resided there, leasing the estate for an annual fee of £9, 13 shillings, and pence.

When William Waldorf acquired Hever in July 1903, the castle had changed hands among several families and was nearly in ruins, with its Tudor gardens completely lost. However, as a history enthusiast—having authored several historical novels—and an admirer of art and architecture from his time in Italy, he instantly saw its potential.

William’s series of renovations were carefully executed, maintaining the castle’s original architecture while introducing modern comforts. His vision included constructing a new wing designed like a Tudor village and transforming the 125-acre gardens to feature a 38-acre lake, an Italian loggia, a rose garden, a Tudor garden, and a woodland area. Thanks to the Astors, Hever Castle was preserved and remains a historic site open to visitors today.

7. Nancy Astor became the first woman to serve as a Member of Parliament.

Born into a struggling Virginian family in 1879, Nancy Witcher Langhorne saw her fortunes change when her father amassed wealth, sending her to New York. There, she met and married Robert Gould Shaw II, though the marriage ended in divorce in 1903. Encouraged by her father, she moved to Britain in late 1904 with her son and sister, Phyllis. In London, she mingled with American women who had married British aristocrats, including Pauline Astor. Nancy later married Pauline’s brother, Waldorf Astor, on April 19, 1906.

Waldorf, the eldest son of William Waldorf, Viscount Astor, received the family estate, Cliveden, as a gift. They transformed it into a hub for political and intellectual discourse. Following his father’s footsteps, Waldorf pursued a political career and, with Nancy’s backing, was elected as the Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton in 1910. Upon his father’s death in 1919, he inherited the title of 2nd Viscount Astor and moved to the House of Lords, leaving his House of Commons seat open.

Nancy took advantage of the 1918 Parliament (Qualification of Women) Act and ran as the Unionist Party (now Conservative Party) candidate to succeed her husband as Plymouth Sutton’s MP. Her triumph on November 15, 1919, made her the first woman to sit in the House of Commons as an MP, representing the Astor family. She served until 1945.

8. John Jacob Astor IV perished aboard the RMS Titanic while returning from his honeymoon.

John Jacob Astor IV, the son of Caroline, the Mrs. Astor, and cousin of the 1st Viscount Astor, spent his early years as an inventor and novelist. Despite these pursuits, he expanded the family wealth through real estate ventures, notably the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel.

In 1910, the 47-year-old millionaire sparked controversy by courting 18-year-old debutante Madeleine Force just five months after his divorce. They married on September 10, 1911, and embarked on a honeymoon that took them from New York to Bermuda, Egypt, and Europe. When Madeleine became pregnant during the trip, they decided to return home, boarding the Titanic at Cherbourg, France, on April 10, 1912.

Despite their immense wealth, they could not escape the tragic events of April 12, 1912, when the ship hit an iceberg and started sinking. Madeleine, her maid, and her nurse were all placed on lifeboat 4, but John was informed he and his valet had to wait until all women were evacuated. Witnesses reported that John assisted two women—Ida Hippach and her 17-year-old daughter Jean—into the boat before reassuring his wife, “You are in good hands, and I will see you in the morning.”

John’s body was among the 333 recovered from the ocean. He was returned to New York and buried in Manhattan, with his gold watch given to his eldest son and heir, Vincent, who wore it for life. Madeleine gave birth to a healthy boy on August 14, 1912, named John Jacob Astor VI (sometimes mistakenly called John V), who immediately inherited a $3 million trust. Madeleine received his house and a $5 million trust fund, but she lost both after remarrying, as John’s will required her to forfeit the fortune if she remarried.

9. John Jacob Astor V secured an Olympic gold medal for Great Britain.

After his father, William Waldorf, relocated to Britain, John V was brought up as an English gentleman. He studied at Eton College and Oxford University, excelling in sports like racquets, a game believed to have originated in prisons before gaining popularity in London’s alleys. By the early 20th century, it became a sport for the elite, played in prestigious schools and clubs with dedicated courts.

The 1908 Olympics in London featured several sports no longer part of the modern games, including running deer shooting, tug-of-war, and Jeu de Paume. Racquets was also included, though only Britain fielded a team. Astor competed in both singles and doubles, partnering with Vane Pennell. They played just twice—on April 30 and May 1—to defeat their British counterparts and claim the doubles gold medal. Astor also earned a bronze in singles despite playing only one match.

Astor maintained his passion for the game and its counterpart, Squash Racquets. In 1922, he entered politics, following his sister-in-law Nancy as MP for Dover. Despite losing a leg in World War I, he won the parliamentary squash racquets championship in both 1926 and 1927.

10. The Astors are related to presidents and monarchs.

In 19th-century New York, marriage became a somewhat socially incestuous practice. Wealthy and politically driven families intermarried so extensively that by the late 1800s, nearly everyone could claim some connection. In 1981, Brooke Astor remarked, “My husband, Vincent, often said the Astors’ success stemmed from always marrying above their station! It became a tradition, as they later wed Schermerhorns, Willings, and Beekmans.”

Politically, the Astors were closely linked to the Roosevelt family. In 1844, William Backhouse I’s daughter, Laura, married Franklin Delano, the great-uncle of future President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This connection deepened in 1878 when Helen Schermerhorn Astor, daughter of The Mrs. Astor, married James Roosevelt, becoming Franklin D. Roosevelt’s sister-in-law. Additionally, Helen’s daughter (also named Helen) married Theodore Robinson, the nephew of Theodore Roosevelt.

Meanwhile, the English Astors mingled with the aristocracy, eventually claiming ties to the British royal family. In 1929, Rachel Spender-Clay, granddaughter of William Waldorf, 1st Viscount Astor, married David Bowes-Lyon, the brother of Elizabeth, Duchess of York and future Queen Consort to George VI. This made Rachel the sister-in-law of George VI, and her son, Sir Simon Bowes-Lyon, became Elizabeth II’s first cousin.

11. An Astor-hosted party played a role in the downfall of the UK Conservative government.

Nancy Astor’s son, William Waldorf Astor II, carried on the family’s political legacy by becoming an MP. Although he had to resign in 1952 upon inheriting the title of 3rd Viscount, he remained active in political and social circles, often hosting events at his residence on the Cliveden Estate.

In July 1961, William hosted a party attended by John Profumo, the Secretary of State for War, while his friend and osteopath, Steven Ward, held another gathering elsewhere on the estate. When the two groups met at the swimming pool, Profumo encountered Christine Keeler, a model and associate of Ward’s. Their brief affair ended by late 1961. However, Profumo’s involvement became problematic when it was revealed that Keeler was also involved with Yevgeny Ivanov, a Soviet naval attaché and another guest of Ward’s.

By 1963, the affair began to surface, with rumors spreading about a potential espionage ring involving the trio. Profumo addressed the House of Commons, asserting that “there was no impropriety whatsoever in my relationship with Miss Keeler.” However, by June, he confessed to the affair and admitted to lying to Parliament. Although no proof emerged that he had leaked secrets to Ivanov through Keeler, he stepped down from his ministerial role.

The Conservative government, led by Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, suffered significant damage from the scandal and, unable to regain public trust, lost the following general election. William faced allegations of an affair with another model, Mandy Rice-Davies. While there was no proof he arranged the meeting between Profumo and Keeler, he was investigated by the police. His reputation was permanently tarnished, and he became a social outcast. After his death from a heart attack in 1966, the Astor family departed Cliveden, never to return.