She Was the Queen of New York Society. Then Her Millionaire Husband Died.

Gloria Vanderbilt was born into one of the richest families in American history — but behind the Vanderbilt fortune, mansions and famous name was a life marked by scandal, tragedy, lost wealth and an extraordinary search for family. In this documentary, we explore the incredible true story of Gloria Vanderbilt: the legendary American heiress, fashion designer, artist, socialite and mother of CNN journalist Anderson Cooper. Born into the Vanderbilt dynasty in 1924, Gloria inherited millions as a child and became famous across America during the sensational Vanderbilt custody trial of the 1930s. Newspapers called her the “Poor Little Rich Girl” — a nickname that would follow her for decades. But Gloria Vanderbilt refused to remain simply an heiress. From her complicated childhood and famous relationships to her four marriages, her life with Wyatt Cooper and the creation of the hugely successful Gloria Vanderbilt jeans empire, she built an identity — and a fortune — of her own. Her life was also shaped by devastating loss. Her husband Wyatt Cooper died unexpectedly in 1978, and ten years later Gloria witnessed the tragic death of their 23-year-old son, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper. Her surviving son, Anderson Cooper, would later become one of America’s most recognizable journalists. This video also examines one of the biggest questions surrounding America’s most famous old-money dynasty: What happened to the Vanderbilt fortune? Cornelius Vanderbilt once controlled one of the greatest private fortunes of the 19th century. Yet over generations, the Vanderbilt family’s enormous wealth was divided, spent and diminished. By the time Gloria Vanderbilt died in 2019 at the age of 95, the financial empire behind one of America’s most famous surnames looked very different. From Gilded Age wealth and New York high society to family scandal, designer jeans, lost fortunes and heartbreaking tragedy, this is the remarkable story of Gloria Vanderbilt — the woman born with almost everything who spent much of her life searching for something money couldn’t buy. Watch until the end to discover how one of America’s greatest fortunes disappeared — and what remained of Gloria Vanderbilt’s legacy. Subscribe to Money & Power for more documentaries about billionaires, old-money families, royal dynasties, business empires, inherited fortunes and the extraordinary people behind the world’s greatest wealth. Topics covered: Gloria Vanderbilt • Vanderbilt family • Vanderbilt fortune • Anderson Cooper • Cornelius Vanderbilt • Carter Vanderbilt Cooper • Wyatt Cooper • Gloria Vanderbilt jeans • Vanderbilt family history • Vanderbilt dynasty • old money families • American billionaires • Gilded Age wealth • richest families in America • lost fortunes • wealthy families • famous heiresses • American dynasties • generational wealth • family fortunes #GloriaVanderbilt #VanderbiltFamily #AndersonCooper #VanderbiltFortune #OldMoney #MoneyAndPower