Calamitous Facts About John Jacob Astor VI, The Ill-Fated Titanic Baby
He Survived The Sinking—But Drowned In Drama Anyway
John Jacob Astor VI was famous even before he was born, thanks to his parents’ harrowing misadventure on the Titanic. He may have survived the most infamous sinking—but could the “Titanic Baby” survive his family?
1. He Was Born Into Wealth—And Scandal
John Jacob Astor VI, affectionately nicknamed “Jakey,” was born with a shiny silver spoon in his mouth on August 14, 1912 in New York City. As a member of the illustrious Astor family, he was born into as much privilege as one could ask for. Except, even before he was born, his family was embroiled in controversy.
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2. His Parents’ Marriage Sparked Controversy
Astor’s parents, John Jacob Astor IV and Madeleine Astor, had gotten married on September 9, 1911. While their relationship was a happy one, their union ignited societal outrage, casting a shadow over the Astor name—and scarring Jakey before he could even crawl.
3. His Mother Was A Lot Younger Than His Father
At the heart of the controversy over his parents’ relationship was the staggering 29-year age difference between them. His mother, Madeleine, was just 18 when she married Colonel Astor, who was 47.
Worse yet, Astor would have to compete with another branch of his family.
4. He Had Half-Siblings
Colonel Astor’s age-gap marriage was one thing—but he was facing an even bigger problem. His wedding to Madeleine came just a year after his highly publicized divorce from Ava Lowle Willing. Thanks to his father’s first marriage to Willing, Astor ended up with two half-siblings, William Vincent and Ava Alice Muriel.
His life was already in turmoil from the womb.
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