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.
Bain News Service, Wikimedia Commons
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.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
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.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
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.
Bain News Service, Wikimedia Commons
5. His Parents Conceived Him Right Away
Astor’s parents wasted no time consummating their marriage. By early 1912, Madeleine was already pregnant with the future “Titanic Baby”. But the pregnancy didn’t exactly slow her down.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
6. His Parents’ Honeymoon Took A Tragic Turn
In April 1912, Astor’s parents embarked on a lavish honeymoon in Egypt and Europe. Their journey was meant to signal a fresh start for the controversial couple. Instead, it led them aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic.
Francis Godolphin Osbourne Stuart, Wikimedia Commons
7. He Was Safe In His Mother’s Womb
By all accounts, Astor’s parents were enjoying their time aboard the Titanic—until the wee hours of the morning on April 14. That was the moment when the Titanic struck an iceberg, precipitating a series of events that nearly ended Astor’s life in the womb.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
8. His Father Saved His Life
Both of Astor’s parents displayed tremendous courage in the face of impending doom. On the night of the Titanic’s sinking, Colonel Astor ensured the safety of his wife and unborn son by placing them in a lifeboat. Sadly, however, even as the wealthiest guest aboard, the Titanic crew didn’t allow him into the lifeboat.
Suddenly, his mother was in a harrowing struggle for survival all on her own.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
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9. His Mother Fought For Their Survival
Safely aboard Lifeboat #4, Madeleine and her companions soon faced another terrifying ordeal. As the mammoth luxury liner sank beneath the frigid water it created powerful whirlpools that nearly dragged the lifeboat down to the depths. Frantically, his mother and the other passengers worked to bail out the icy water.
It would be a while before Astor was safe again.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
10. His Mother Helped Save Lives
Once the water calmed, Madeleine Astor’s lifeboat returned to the scene of the wreck to search for survivors. What she did next was unforgettable. Despite being well into her pregnancy and in a “delicate condition”, Astor’s mother managed to pull six men from the freezing Atlantic waters, though two, tragically, succumbed to the sinking.
ullstein bild Dtl., Getty Images
11. His Mother Proved Her Bravery
Through the chaos and heartache of the Titanic disaster, Astor’s mother earned praise and respect. Contemporary reports lauded her for the “greatest courage and fortitude”. Astor, himself, would need both to survive what came next.
New York Herald, Wikimedia Commons
12. He Was Rescued By The Carpathia
After two and a half harrowing hours adrift, a pregnant Madeleine and the unborn Astor caught their first lucky break. The crew of the RMS Carpathia rescued the survivors of Lifeboat #4 from an icy grave. Sadly, not all of Astor’s family survived the night.
Unknown author, Wikimedia Commons
13. He Lost His Father To The Sea
Though Astor was born a survivor, he was also born into great tragedy. He would never get the chance to meet his father. After ensuring his family’s safety, Colonel John Jacob Astor IV went down with the Titanic. Sailors from another ship recovered his body over a week later on April 22.
It would be a grim reminder for Astor—now the man of the family, John Jacob Astor VI—that no amount of money could save him from tragedy.
Bain Collection, Wikimedia Commons
14. His Father Carried A Fortune To His Watery Grave
When sailors found Colonel Astor’s body, they also retrieved $2,500 in cash on his person—a significant sum in 1912. John Jacob Astor VI would grow up hearing stories of his father’s wealth and the possessions lost with him. Sadly, the only keepsake from that terrible night went to another Astor.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
15. His Father’s Watch Became A Keepsake—Just Not For Him
Among the items recovered from Colonel Astor’s body was a gold pocket watch, engraved with his initials. The watch became a cherished family heirloom—but young Astor would never inherit it. Instead, his half-brother Vincent, kept the watch with him at all times.
Even so, it’s not like Astor was destitute.
16. He Grew Up In Beechwood
After the Titanic disaster, the widowed Madeleine raised John Jacob Astor VI at Beechwood, the Astor family’s grand Newport mansion. However, despite the luxury and wealth, he grew up in the shadow of one of America’s most storied families.
17. His Half-Brother Hated Him
Astor’s elder half-brother, Vincent, deeply resented his stepmother Madeleine—and it had a devastating side effect. That animosity extended to Astor himself, creating a lifelong tension that divided the Astor family fortune into ever-smaller pieces. Astor would have to fight for his inheritance.
Richard Arthur Norton, Wikimedia Commons
18. He May Not Have Been An Astor
Astor’s half-brother Vincent loathed him and his mother so completely that he went so far as to claim that Astor wasn’t a biological Astor. The cruel accusation only widened the rift between the two brothers and further fractured the already fragile Astor family.
Then there was the matter of his father’s massive estate.
Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons
19. His Father’s Will Left Him Little
Under Colonel Astor’s will, Astor and his mother received relatively little of his $85 million estate. Madeleine's inheritance included properties like the Rhinebeck estate and the yacht Noma, but the bulk of the fortune went to Astor’s sworn enemy.
20. His Half-Siblings Inherited Huge Fortunes
John Jacob Astor VI saw his father’s first family benefit most from the Astor fortune. Vincent, his arch nemesis half-brother, received $69 million, while his half-sister, Ava Alice Muriel, was granted a $10 million trust fund. Compared to those staggering sums, Astor’s inheritance was considerably smaller.
Unknown photographer on Wikimedia
21. His Mother Couldn’t Remarry
As part of Astor’s father’s will, Madeleine received income from a $5 million trust fund and annual payments of $500,000. However, the money came with strings attached. If Madeleine ever remarried, she would lose the money, meaning Astor would lose access to his father’s vast fortune.
But there was still plenty of money to go around.
Bain News Service, Wikimedia Commons
22. He Grew Up In The Lap Of Luxury
Perhaps because of the restrictions, Astor’s mother waited before remarrying. As such, Astor’s early life was one of opulence, growing up in the family’s Fifth Avenue and Beechwood properties. But his mother soon jeopardized his inheritance.
Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons
23. He Found A New Father Figure
In 1916, Madeleine married banker William Karl Dick, and the couple welcomed two more sons, William Force Dick and John Henry Dick II. Astor’s family life shifted yet again as he became part of a blended household. Sadly, he’d lose another father figure before long.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
24. He Lost Another Father Figure
Astor grew close to William Dick, seeing him as the father he lost at sea. However, for his mother, no one could ever replace Colonel Astor. So, when she later divorced Dick, Astor found himself yet again without a father. Or, at least, not one that he liked.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
25. He Opposed His Mother’s Third Marriage
Astor’s mother struggled to find true love after his father passed. Eventually, however, she set her sights on the Italian boxer, Enzo Fiermonte, in 1933—much to her son’s strong disapproval. Having formed a bond with Dick, Astor viewed the new union as a betrayal and struggled to accept the change.
Film diretto da Guido Brignone e prodotto da Manenti Film on Wikimedia
26. He Fought Against His Mother’s Choices
Astor repeatedly urged his mother, Madeleine, to end her relationship with Enzo Fiermonte. His disapproval of the boxer created tension within their once-close bond. Things got so bad, that it nearly saw him sever their relationship altogether.
Film diretto da Guido Brignone e prodotto da Manenti Film on Wikimedia
27. He Reconciled With His Mother
Astor’s disapproval of his mother’s relationship with Fiermonte had a disturbing effect. It caused a serious rift that left the mother and son estranged for months. Fortunately, Astor found enough common ground with his mother to reconcile—but he wasn’t exactly happy about it.
28. He Told It Like It Was
When the media asked John Jacob Astor VI about his mother’s decision to marry Fiermonte, the Titanic Baby didn’t mince his words. “Unfortunately, it’s true,” he said, giving a blunt admission of his discontent with the decision. But Fiermonte wasn’t all bad.
Bain News Service, Wikimedia Commons
29. He Learned To Box
Despite his initial resistance to Fiermonte, John Jacob Astor VI ended up learning how to box from his new stepfather. The lessons became a defining feature of their complicated relationship. Even from the grave, however, his real father had given much more than boxing lessons.
US National Park Service, Wikimedia Commons
30. He Wasn’t In His Father’s Will
The Titanic took more than just Astor’s father when it went down—it also took his fortune. Colonel Astor hadn’t had time to write his unborn son into his will before he sank beneath the icy waters. Fortunately, his father had foreseen just such a circumstance.
31. He Inherited A Small Fortune
Even though John Jacob Astor VI wasn’t in his father’s will, he didn’t walk away from the Astor estate empty-handed. Colonel Astor had included a $3 million inheritance for any of his additional surviving children. But Astor would have to wait to get his hands on the dough.
ullstein bild Dtl., Getty Images
32. He Celebrated His 21st Birthday With Millions
On his 21st birthday, John Jacob Astor VI claimed his share of the astronomical Astor fortune. Incredibly, his $3 million trust had nearly doubled to $5 million—equivalent to about $118 million in today’s dollars. And his mother left him some goodies of her own.
Tyler Hughes, Wikimedia Commons
33. He Inherited Treasures From His Mother
When Madeleine succumbed to a heart condition in March 1940, she left her first son, John Jacob Astor VI, more than just fond memories. Her will included cherished pieces of jewelry that became a tangible link to her legacy. Of course, it didn’t hurt that these shiny trinkets were worth a fortune.
American Zoetrope, Titanic (1996)
34. He Kept His Mother’s Jewelry Close
Among the items that Astor’s mother left him was a diamond solitaire ring. The stunning stone was valued at $50,000 (over $1 million today). In addition to that, his mother left him a pearl necklace worth $1,525 (around $33,000 today). And he knew just the woman to wear his mother’s heirlooms.
35. He Fell For A Socialite
In December 1933, John Jacob Astor VI became engaged to Eileen Sherman Gillespie. She was a sophisticated socialite and daughter of Lieutenant Lawrence Gillespie and Irene Sherman. Their romance captivated New York’s society—but the drama would tear it apart.
36. He Planned For A February Wedding
Astor was excited to tie the knot with his new fiancée, and the couple eagerly set a date to marry on February 6, 1934. To the observant upper echelon of New York society, it looked like the Titanic Baby had righted the ship of his life. But an iceberg of a different kind was waiting just ahead.
Henry Havelock Pierce, Wikimedia Commons
37. His Fiancée Broke His Heart
Tragically, just weeks before the wedding, Astor’s life hit another iceberg. This time, it was iceberg Eileen. In a shocking decision, Eileen called off the marriage after reports of a “bitter argument”. The sudden break shattered Astor’s hopes for their future together.
Desperately, Astor sought someone to blame.
38. He Blamed His Fiancée’s Parents
John Jacob Astor VI couldn’t believe his marriage had fallen apart even before it started. As such, he blamed Eileen’s parents for interfering in their relationship, ultimately driving a wedge between them. How he coped with the heartbreak, however, told a different story.
39. He Fled To Shanghai
Seeking solace and escape from the relentless media coverage of his failed engagement, Astor traveled to Shanghai. The journey allowed him time to grieve before he returned to America in May 1934, ready to rebuild his life. Or take back what he had lost.
Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia
40. He Hoped To Win Back His Bride
Despite the heartbreak that Eileen caused him, John Jacob Astor VI admitted he still cared for his former fiancée. “I was willing to marry her,” he later said. “If I were to think about it, I might still be willing to marry her”. Eileen, however, had a less flattering opinion on the matter.
41. He Was Lonely And Eccentric
Years later, Eileen’s daughter, Marguerite "Margy" Slocum, reflected on Astor’s character—and even revealed the heartbreaking reason why her mother’s engagement to the Titanic Baby had, well, sunk. “She felt that he had grown up lonely,” Margy said. “He was a bit eccentric, and she felt he wasn’t mature enough to get married”.
Based on what he did next, she kinda had a point.
42. He Fell For His Fiancée’s Friend
Shortly after returning from Shanghai, John Jacob Astor VI became engaged to Ellen Tuck "Tucky" French—who just so happened to be a close friend of his former fiancée, Eileen. It may just have been a ploy to make Eileen jealous.
43. He Had A Secret Admirer
Tucky, a granddaughter of financier Amos Tuck French, had had her eye on the wealthy Titanic Baby for quite some time. In fact, she had a crush on Astor even while he was engaged to her friend, Eileen. Her feelings now had the chance to flourish—or flounder.
Unknown Photographer, Wikimedia Commons
44. He Ran Off With The Bridesmaid
To get the romantic attention of Astor, Tucky had absolutely zero scruples. In an ironic twist to Astor’s unfolding romantic saga, Tucky had been slated to serve as a bridesmaid at Astor’s wedding to Eileen. Instead, she stepped into the role of bride herself, taking center stage in his life. She made sure to do so in style.
Bain News Service, Wikimedia Commons
45. He Married His Ex-Fiancée’s Friend
Whether for love or revenge, Astor was actually committed to Tucky—and she was committed to him. The unlikely couple exchanged vows on June 30, 1934, at the prestigious Trinity Church in Newport, Rhode Island. And they quickly got down to business.
46. He Became A Father
Shortly after marrying, the Titanic Baby had a baby of his own. Astor and Tucky welcomed their son, William Backhouse Astor III, into the world in 1935. Sadly, trouble was on the horizon.
47. His Marriage Sunk
Unfortunately for Astor, everything in his life had a habit of sinking—including his marriage. After nearly a decade together, Astor and Tucky divorced in May 1943. But his heart didn’t stay broken for long.
American Zoetrope, Titanic (1996)
48. He Got Married Again—Quickly
The ruins of Astor’s first marriage had barely settled on the ocean floor before he eagerly hopped into another relation"ship". About a year after breaking things off with Tucky, on September 18, 1944, he married Gertrude Gretsch, a young woman from a prominent family.
This marriage, too, however, was doomed to hit rock bottom.
49. His Second Marriage Also Ended—Kinda
Astor’s union with Gertrude faltered over time. Six years into their marriage, for reasons that aren’t entirely clear, the couple separated before officially divorcing four years later on August 2, 1954. At least, they thought they were divorced.
50. His Divorce Became Legally Complex
According to official records, Astor and Gertrude filed for divorce in Mexico. But they were in for a surprise. A quickie Mexican divorce didn’t legally count in their native New York. It wasn’t until 1956 that the proper authorities officially recognized Astor’s and Gertrude’s divorce.
51. He Had A Daughter With Gertrude
Before their separation, Astor and Gertrude had a daughter, Mary Jacqueline Astor. Despite the divorce, she became another treasured part of his growing family—which had been growing a little too quickly for some.
52. He Was Probably Hiding A Terrible Secret
While the details of Astor’s marriage to Gertrude remained out of the press, anyone speculating could piece together what must have happened. Given what Astor did next, it’s little wonder that his second marriage ended the way it did.
53. He Married His Likely Mistress
On August 6, 1954, just two days after getting a Mexican divorce, Astor stunned the world. In a shocking about-face, the Titanic Baby married his third wife, Dolores Margaret "Dolly" Fullman, in Arlington, Virginia. The suddenness fueled speculation that the two had been carrying on an affair.
But their dalliance would last longer than their devotion.
54. His Third Marriage Ended Swiftly
Shortly after their honeymoon, Astor made another shocking decision when he and his new bride separated…then got divorced. Their marriage was short-lived, leaving Astor once again searching for lasting companionship.
55. He Found Stability With His Fourth Wife
Following his torrid years, Astor took some time to search his heart—and found it. In 1956, he married for the fourth—and, thankfully, final—time to Sue Sandford. Unlike with his previous marriages, their bond endured for nearly three decades until 1985, when Sandford passed, marking the longest-lasting relationship of his life.
Still, his later years were not easy.
Unknown Photographer, Wikimedia Commons
56. His Half-Brother Betrayed Him
When Astor’s half-brother, Vincent, passed in 1959, he reasonably expected to inherit another sizable portion of the Astor estate. However, Vincent clearly still harbored hatred for him and excluded the Titanic Baby entirely from his will.
Astor’s response ignited a family feud unlike any other.
57. He Felt Cheated Out Of His Inheritance
Astor didn’t try to save face with the media and expressed his frustration openly, stating that Vincent “had the legal, not the moral, right to keep all the money”. The loss deepened the rift in the Astor family, and the fallout was epic.
58. He Claimed What He Believed Was His
Astor didn't take the disappointing will of his loathsome half-brother at face value. Instead, he filed a lawsuit against Vincent’s widow, Roberta Brooke Russell. He believed he was entitled to a portion of the fortune that had, instead, gone to her.
Turns out, he may have been on to something.
59. He Questioned The Validity Of The Will
In his lawsuit to claim his share of the Astor fortune, Astor argued that Vincent had been “mentally incompetent” when he signed his final will in 1958. As evidence, he cited his brother’s drinking habit, however, Brooke countered that Vincent was “fully competent” at the time.
Again, Astor had a point.
60. He Accused Brooke Of Manipulation
Amidst the media furor over the Astor family feud, Astor made another shocking allegation. The Titanic Baby further alleged that his half-brother’s widow had plied him with drinks in order to influence his decisions in her favor. The accusations added fuel to their contentious legal battle.
61. He Settled For A Fraction Of The Fortune
Despite his compelling arguments and the media sympathy, Astor knew he didn’t have much of a case. As such, he accepted a settlement of $250,000 (about $2.6 million today)—a paltry fraction of the massive family fortune. Just as Vincent had written in his will, the bulk of his fortune remained with Brooke and the Vincent Astor Foundation.
62. He Lived A Long But Tumultuous Life
The loss of the majority of the Astor family fortune dealt a blow to Astor who had always felt likely something of a black sheep amongst his illustrious relatives. In fact, it was the final, and possibly fatal blow. Astor passed on in 1992 in Miami Beach, Florida, at the age of 79.
His life had been marked by wealth, drama, and relentless pursuit of his place within the Astor dynasty.
62. He Was Laid To Rest With His Family
The question of whether or not Astor was a “real” Astor was finally laid to rest—when he was. Astor’s body was returned to New York and buried alongside his parents in the Trinity Church Cemetery, cementing his place as a legitimate Astor and reuniting him with his heroic parents.
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