A Shocking Truth About Consuelo Vanderbilt | Is Poor Gladys Russell Doomed in HBO's The Gilded Age?

American daugther married to Asian treasures.

Yes

If I'm consuelo right decission

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.

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?

There is nothing fabulous fierce or feisty about these women.

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!!

there are as many sides to a story as there are people involved....if there are 2, then 2-22 then 22...not counting those who are on the outside looking in, the help....

odd how you dont even mention the death of her son.

These are fascinating stories of fascinating women. I thank you for sharing all of them with us!❤

Very interesting.

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 !

The Dukes second wife kept a loader revolver under her pillow ! The poor Duke ! Never loved!

So she grew up became an adult and then proceeded to have a happy ending to her life. All while living like a want to be princesses. All of those manor estate have libraries and rooms full of books and family history. Guess she thought she had get her lie out first. Don't feel sorry for her situation many had worse. Becomes adult annuls her marriage with two living children and blames all of her hardship on her mother Duke and palace. Really somewhat ridiculous and spoiled behavior. She probably did same if she had daughters I would imagine. Team mother here took lemon and made lemonade.

If you feel for her maybe it because actor did a great job portraying her. Team mother!!!!!

I read Consuelo's book years ago and I can assure you she was no poor little victim. She was very intelligent and always composed on the inside. She admired her Mother even though her Mother rigidly controlled the beginning of her life. Consuelo was emotionally strong but sensitive. Rare combination. She had a forced marriage for a few years but she escaped from it then lived the rest of her life with a beautiful man she loved. Do not feel sorry for her.

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.

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.

Gertrude Vanderbilt married an American Harry Payne Whitney, not a British title.

Is this letter from the Duke verified authentic?

These were silly people

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 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.

In the end Consuelo was her mother's daughter - a manipulator.

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.

I struggle to imagine a 29 year old man falling for a 16 year old girl. I know it was nbd, but still seems so creepy

Didn't Marlboro Die from a STD, famously because amongst wealthy people (ie: Your wife is your wife) and Mother of Titled Kids to keep their Nobility seats from dying out. But these Gilded Brats of their time donned the mores and folkways of The established Nobility from the generations before them. I say this in that their upper crusty customs hundreds years old kept up the awful habit of marrying for mutual gains with whom you procreate, but your true Love (became your mistress) is set up elsewhere for play and fun. Or, keep a mistress plus frequent whore houses and street workers. Many also had a mistress, whores and bedded maid employees. The Duke and Winston Churchill's Dad died young from syphills. They (the Churchill's) put out there the Duke had Brain Cancer. Neither of the two Loved each other, per say, but both had been groomed "this" was the society norm. Thus, Duke's letter of surprise reflects a nod to this century old practice. Every one accepted this F**lucked up outdated practice. Add on emotional neglect of children with a total disregard for their well being and mental health. So screwed up. I understand another norm was a servant had to avert their eyes down, stop in their place, and not look back up nor move until the Lord or Lady passed the servant.
Thank God all 4 of my Grandparents immigrated from Ireland to the USA around WWI.

I believe Consuelo over these greedy British pretenders

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.

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.

Alva was a real piece of work. That woman was ruthless.

Nothing in that letter discounts what she was saying in her memoir

I believe Consuelo.

Why would it be a 5 month journey from New York to Europe?

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 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.

Her mother was also sold off as cattle that was the way.

Yes, I think Gladys will have the same fate as Consuelo did.

Although he got his castle repaired.

I am eagerly awaiting season 3 even more now to know the outcome of her love.

sadly this is what family did to the children from well off family

Such an outstanding series ❤❤❤❤

Tradurre il video in italiano

The saddest thing is that millions paid to watch this total idiotic crap. Like watching trump. The Republicans.

These guys are threatening to beat each other off

Worst trash ever. Good help anyone who likes this

I don't believe in forced marriages but to marry for love.

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.

There's no link to Consuelo's book!!