Gloria Vanderbilt was an iconic figure in the fashion world. She was born into an illustrious family of wealth and privilege, but she made a name for herself with her own unique style and creativity. Throughout her life, Vanderbilt was an artist, socialite, fashion designer, and actress.
Fidlarmusic did a little digging — just how much money does she actually make? Here is a breakdown of Gloria Vanderbilt net worth.
Gloria Vanderbilt Net Worth and Salary In 2023
Gloria Vanderbilt is an iconic fashion designer and heiress who has an estimated net worth of $10 million as of 2023. She is the daughter of socialite and railroad heir Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt and his second wife, Gloria Morgan.
She has been the subject of much media speculation over the years due to her high-profile life and family wealth.
Though it is unclear what her exact salary is, it is reported that she earns millions each year from her various investments and businesses.
In addition to her income from these sources, Vanderbilt is believed to receive an annual allowance from her father’s estate, which was estimated at around $5 million per year in 2012. This makes her one of the wealthiest women on the planet.
Gloria Vanderbilt’s Overview
Vanderbilt Family Wealth
Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt’s great-grandson, Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, was Gloria’s father. Cornelius Vanderbilt was among the richest Americans of all time after accounting for inflation.
Cornelius had a net worth of $185 billion at the time of his passing. Although Cornelius made his first fortune in shipping, extreme wealth didn’t materialize until much later in life because of railroads and real estate.
Upon his father’s passing, William Henry, Cornelius’ son, received most of the family’s fortune and commercial holdings. Before passing away in 1885 at the age of 64, William was able to double the family’s wealth in ten years.
Unfortunately, William Henry was the last Vanderbilt to raise the family’s financial standing significantly. From that moment forward, the majority of descendants just wasted their inheritance. Legend has it that the Vanderbilt family got together in 1973. No one among the roughly 120 attendees was a millionaire.
Early Life
Gloria Vanderbilt was born on February 20, 1924, in New York City. Her father, Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, was a railroad heir, and her mother, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, was a socialite of German and English descent.
Gloria’s parents separated when she was just one year old, leading to a highly publicized custody battle for the young heiress. At the time, it was very rare for a mother to win custody of her children, but Gloria’s mother was ultimately awarded full custody.
Gloria was raised primarily by her mother and her aunt, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, who was a sculptor and patron of the arts.
Growing up in this very privileged environment, Gloria attended private schools such as Brearley School, Miss Porter’s School, and the Art Students League of New York.
Although she was exposed to high society and the finer things in life, her childhood was far from perfect. She often felt isolated and alone and suffered from depression, even as a young child.
In 1941, at the age of seventeen, Gloria married Hollywood agent Pat DiCicco. The marriage was marred by domestic violence and eventually ended in 1945.
After the divorce, Gloria pursued a career in acting and writing, appearing in several Broadway plays and authoring a novel. She also became a fashion icon, designing her own line of jeans, blouses, and scarves.
Career
Gloria Vanderbilt was a fashion icon, artist, author, actress, and socialite. Her father was the heir to the Vanderbilt fortune. From an early age, she was thrust into the limelight and became a tabloid sensation.
Vanderbilt’s career began in the 1940s as an actress. She appeared in plays, movies, and television shows. She also had a radio show, “The Gloria Vanderbilt Show,” which aired from 1947 to 1949. In the 1950s, she shifted her focus to fashion.
She created her own clothing line, “Gloria Vanderbilt,” which was sold at prestigious department stores around the country. The line included slacks, jeans, blouses, and skirts. In the 1960s, she designed a line of scarves that became popular among young women.
Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, Vanderbilt continued to expand her fashion empire. She launched a signature line of jeans, which were highly successful. She also started a line of home furnishings and accessories. Her designs became incredibly popular and established her as an influential fashion designer.
In addition to her fashion career, Vanderbilt was also an accomplished artist. She painted abstract works and wrote several books. She was also a philanthropist and donated to numerous charities throughout her life.
Vanderbilt’s career spanned several decades, and she left an indelible mark on the fashion world. She was a trailblazer, and her influence continues to be felt today.
Personal Life
Vanderbilt married four times, first to Pasquale di Cicco in 1941 and then to Leopold Stokowski in 1945. They had two sons, Stanislaus and Christopher. Vanderbilt and Stokowski eventually divorced in 1955.
She then married Sidney Lumet in 1956, but they divorced in 1963. She was married to author Wyatt Cooper from 1963 until his death in 1978. They had two sons, Carter and Anderson.
Throughout her life, Vanderbilt was well known for her philanthropy and involvement in numerous charities. She was a long-time supporter of the Children’s Aid Society and the United Nations. She was also an active member of the International Red Cross and Amnesty International.
Death and Estate
At the age of 95, Vanderbilt died of stomach cancer in her Manhattan home on June 17, 2019. She is interred in the Vanderbilt Mausoleum in Staten Island’s Moravian Cemetery with her late husband Wyatt and her son Carter.
Anderson, Gloria’s son, received most of her fortune, despite the fact that he once stated in an interview, “My mum has made clear to me that there is no trust fund.”
Other than a Manhattan co-op that was handed to her eldest son, Stan, Anderson inherited all of the assets his mother held. Chris, the last son, was not included in the will because he was not close to Vanderbilt.
Why Is Gloria Vanderbilt Famous?
Gloria Vanderbilt is a celebrated American socialite, fashion designer, heiress, and artist. She is best known as the mother of the famed journalist Anderson Cooper and the namesake of the iconic Gloria Vanderbilt clothing line.
Born into one of the wealthiest families in America, she was at the center of a legal battle that captivated the nation. Her public life has been filled with successes and failures, but her legacy will forever be associated with her courage, determination, and resilience.
Throughout her life, she has made an indelible mark on American culture as an icon of style and influence, making her one of the most famous figures of the 20th century.
FAQs About Gloria Vanderbilt
Is the Vanderbilt family still wealthy?
Gloria was the last living relative of Commodore Vanderbilt, who established the family’s wealth through his railroad, real estate, and shipping empire.
What happened to Gloria Vanderbilt fortune?
They believed it would stay forever since they were born into it. The last male heir to the Vanderbilt family fortune was Gloria Vanderbilt’s father. Gloria Vanderbilt was unaware of her family’s wealth as a kid until she became embroiled in a custody dispute between her mother and aunt over the money her father—the last male heir to the Vanderbilt fortune—left her after his passing.
Did Anderson Cooper inherit the Vanderbilt fortune?
Although Cooper had previously stated that he did not anticipate receiving any of the estimated $200 million fortunes of Vanderbilt, his mother had one last surprise in store for him as she made the decision to leave the majority of her riches to him.
Conclusion
Gloria Vanderbilt’s life is a testament to her courage and resilience. Despite her challenges, she has left an indelible mark on American culture as an icon of style and influence. Her story is one of remarkable strength and determination, and her legacy will live on for generations to come. Thank’s for your reading!
