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The rise and fall of the Vanderbilt family dynasty

How the Vanderbilt family made – and lost – their fortune
The birth of Cornelius Vanderbilt
Learning the ropes
A troubled personal life
Jumping ship
Becoming a millionaire
Making inroads into the rail industry
Battling it out on the railroads
The opening of a New York icon
America's first great tycoon dies
William Henry Vanderbilt, the successful heir
A third generation
An increase in spending
A huge new estate
An impressive Rhode Island mansion
The Vanderbilt property empire
Future of New York Central Railroad company
Frittering away the family inheritance
Demolition of New York properties
A new Vanderbilt is born
A high-profile custody case
New Yorkers gripped by the court battle
Marriage to Pat DiCicco
A turbulent love life
A successful career
Further decline for the transport industry
The birth of Anderson Cooper
A tragic childhood
An estranged son
Career beginnings
The death of Gloria Vanderbilt
Inheritance controversy
An undisclosed legacy
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Underwood Archives/Getty Images

How the Vanderbilt family made – and lost – their fortune

The Vanderbilts were once the richest family in America. Then it all went wrong.

Read on to discover the story of the incredible boom and bust of one of the world’s most famous old-money dynasties. 

All dollar amounts in US dollars

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Frances Carruthers

13 August 2024

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