Gloria Vanderbilt and Millionaire Myths

The closest we ever got to anything related or connected to the wealthy Vanderbilt dynasty was during our vacation in NC.  We had the privilege of  visiting this vast, gorgeous mansion built by GW Vanderbilt, II.

Biltmore House, currently owned by the family of William Vanderbilt Cecil,  is the largest privately-owned house in the United States @ 178,926 square feet of floor space. 

Gloria Vanderbilt (owner William's 2nd cousin)  told her son, Anderson Cooper, "... there is no inheritance." Good for her! She actually gave the best gift to Anderson --  motivation to excel and to work. It's sink or swim when you have no financial safety-net to catch you during Life's many, many challenges. 

ETA: Gloria Vanderbilt leaves almost everything to Anderson Cooper

So how would Anderson or ANYONE become rich in their own right? 

Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished:

 but he that gathereth by labour shall increase.

Proverbs 13:11

Gloria Laura Vanderbilt

Biltmore Mansion, North Carolina

George Washington Vanderbilt II

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Biltmore House In North Carolina

 The currrent "owner" of this stunning Châteauesque-style mansion, William A. Vanderbilt Cecil, recently passed away  (August 17, 1928 – October 31, 2017). I'm happy to have visited this lovely estate with hubby and our youngest kids in the recent past.  
What drew my attention:  The sheer size of the bachelor-pad house; two large John Singer Sargent paintings, and at least one Monet; humongous dining area (42 feet wide by 72 feet long, and a 70-foot high ceiling) with 3 fireplaces and a two-story library with gorgeous, painted ceiling; electrically lighted (very rare back in the day) basement swimming pool plus a bowling alley.

7-stories tall!

garden conservatory

stats on the mansion

basement swimming pool (pc: Biltmore)

 G.W. Vanderbilt's bedroom (pc: Biltmore)

William was the grandson of  George Washington Vanderbilt II who purchased the estate and built the home in 1888.

William was the 2nd cousin of fashion designer/actress, Gloria Vanderbilt ;  and thus is also related to anchorman, Anderson Cooper.  

"On his father's side, he was a direct descendant of William Cecil, the chief adviser to Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century, through his grandparents, Lord William Cecil and Mary Rothes Margaret Cecil, Baroness Amherst of Hackney. " - wikipedia

In addition, his widow, Mary Lee Ryan, is the first cousin of Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis.  

Biltmore House is located on Biltmore Estate, Ashevlle NC.  It is the largest, privately owned house in the USA (@ 178,926 square feet or 16,622.8 meters of floor space). 

42.06.18.19


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