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The Astors: High Society

"Their name is synonymous with wealth and glamour. Their saga is marked by five generations of tragedy, family feuds and philanthropy."

The very name conjures up images of the good life black tie affairs and high society balls. Yet their long saga proves that money is no guarantee of happiness or stability. John Jacob Astor built an empire by parlaying a job in the fur business into a real estate empire so vast he became the richest man in the world. Follow the fortunes of five generations of Astors in this special BIOGRAPHY. From John's son William, who doubled the family fortune and earned the nickname "the landlord of New York," to the astounding charitable contributions of the Astor Foundation, the incredible story of the famed family comes to life through interviews with family members, archival footage and period accounts. Trace the feud and reconciliation that led to the creation of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, and find out how the Titanic disaster forever transformed the Astors and their reputation.

Top Cast

  • John Jacob Astor IV

    John Jacob Astor IV

    Self (archive footage)

  • Brooke Astor

    Brooke Astor

    Self

  • Nancy Astor

    Nancy Astor

    Self (archive footage)

  • Winston Churchill

    Winston Churchill

    Self (archive footage)

  • Brendan Gill

    Brendan Gill

    Self — Historian

  • Adolf Hitler

    Adolf Hitler

    Self (archive footage)

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Franklin D. Roosevelt

    Self (archive footage)

Overview

The very name conjures up images of the good life black tie affairs and high society balls. Yet their long saga proves that money is no guarantee of happiness or stability. John Jacob Astor built an empire by parlaying a job in the fur business into a real estate empire so vast he became the richest man in the world. Follow the fortunes of five generations of Astors in this special BIOGRAPHY. From John's son William, who doubled the family fortune and earned the nickname "the landlord of New York," to the astounding charitable contributions of the Astor Foundation, the incredible story of the famed family comes to life through interviews with family members, archival footage and period accounts. Trace the feud and reconciliation that led to the creation of the Waldorf-Astoria hotel, and find out how the Titanic disaster forever transformed the Astors and their reputation.

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