The Titanic Sank Her Dreams
Madeleine Astor was the queen of New York’s high society when she boarded the Titanic with her new husband, John Jacob Astor IV. Tragically, the iceberg that sank the Titanic also sank her marriage.
1. She Was Born Into Gilded Grandeur
Madeleine Astor—born Madeleine Talmage Force—first opened her eyes on June 19, 1893, in Brooklyn, New York, amidst the shimmer of the Gilded Age. As the younger daughter of William Hurlbut Force and Katherine Arvilla Talmage, Madeleine’s life began in an era defined by dazzling opulence and high society excesses.
2. Her Lineage Was Impeccable
Madeleine was born with more than just a silver spoon in her mouth. Through her father’s French ancestry, she was related to Ephraim S Force, a renowned builder, while her maternal lineage boasted New York State Assemblyman Tunis VP Talmage and the illustrious mayor of Brooklyn, Thomas G Talmage.
But her pedigree went back even further.
3. She Shared Blood With A Patriot
Madeleine’s family traced their lineage back to the founding of America. Through her mother, she was distantly related to Colonel Benjamin Tallmadge, an unswerving confidant of George Washington himself. Her father’s side of the family was equally impressive.
4. Her Father Was A Titan Of Industry
In a somewhat ironic twist given her eventual fate, Madeleine’s father, William Hurlbut Force, owned a shipping company. He also counted himself a proud member of the prestigious New York Chamber of Commerce. His maritime prowess anchored the family’s standing among the city’s elite.
With such an illustrious background, Madeleine followed her own gilded path into adulthood.
5. Her Family Defined Elegance
Brooklyn’s high society embraced Madeleine’s family as one of their own. With memberships in elite clubs, an enviable art collection, and ties to the Episcopal Church, the Talmage Forces were about as high and mighty as one could get. But Madeleine earned her stripes as well.
6. She Was A Bright Star At School
By all accounts, Madeleine was as bright as she was rich. She attended reputable schools, Miss Ely’s and later Miss Spence’s School in Manhattan, where she distinguished herself as a “brilliant pupil”. In due time, she graduated with distinction in the spring of 1910. Her education outside of the classroom, however, was far more interesting.
7. She Roamed The World With Her Family
Madeleine’s parents were big believers in broadening their children’s horizons. As such, their mother took Madeleine and her sister on grand tours through Europe, including one particularly long sojourn in Paris. Suffice to say, she left an impression anywhere she went.
8. She Captivated A Correspondent
During her escapades in Paris, Madeleine managed to capture the attention of the journalist Emma Bullet. Bullet was so impressed with Madeleine that she wrote about her, painting the young socialite in a light of youthful sweetness and cultural finesse. It sounds like Madeleine could have written it herself.
9. She Was Fluent In French
Paris left as much of an impression on Madeleine as she left on it. According to Bullet, Madeleine could speak and write in French with a grace that was beyond her years. Even so, she wasn’t a snobby aristocrat, but rather agreeable with a fondness for animals. In fact, it seems like she had the world wrapped around her finger.
10. She Held Hearts In Her Hands
Bullet described Madeleine as a girl who could “twine herself around the heart of anybody”. Whether young or old, she possessed a magnetic warmth that left a trail of admirers wherever she went. Even so, Bullet had a few criticisms.
11. She Defied All Predictions
To Emma Bullet, the idea that Madeleine might one day become America’s most talked-about woman was laughable. “It would have defied any prophetess,” Bullet declared, reflecting on the unlikely future awaiting the seemingly unassuming young woman. Of course, an iceberg can change anyone’s fate.
12. She Was Destined For Greatness
According to Bullet, "there was “absolutely nothing at that time to make her look as if destined to be singled out … in any way". Yet fate had other plans that would propel Madeleine from the background of society to the forefront of its imagination.
13. She Wasn’t The Elite Of The Elite
Despite her family’s pedigree, they weren’t at the pinnacle of New York’s high society. Mrs Astor, the undisputed queen of New York’s social upper echelons and the mother of Madeleine’s future husband, notably excluded the Forces from the vaunted “Four Hundred”—a curated list of the crème de la crème.
Even so, they hung around the right circles.
14. She Savored Summer Escapes
While Madeleine’s family might not have qualified for Mrs Astor’s “Four Hundred” list, they certainly lived like the top 1% of the top 1%. Madeleine spent her summers amid the cool breezes, scenic beauty, and minted millionaires of Bar Harbor, Maine. Pretty soon, she would be all anyone could talk about.
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15. She Dazzled As A Debutante
On December 22, 1910, Madeleine made her official grand entrance into New York society. Her peers celebrated her as “one of the handsomest of the debutantes” of the season, captivating the public with her radiant charm and elegance. In other words, she was one of the cool kids.
16. She Conquered The Junior League
As soon as Madeleine debuted, New York’s Junior League—the epicenter of young, affluent socialites—clamored to have her join their ranks. Surrounded by the city’s most poised and promising young women, she quickly became a rising star. And she put her newfound fame to good use.
17. She Took Center Stage
Madeleine graced the stage in numerous society plays, charming audiences with her poise. In February 1911, for example, she performed in a pantomime at the Plaza Hotel, where she put her immense privilege to work in raising money for charity. She was also, arguably, the most capable socialite around.
18. She Mastered Sport And Sea
Madeleine was no silly, half-witted socialite. According to her peers, she was an expert on horseback and a more than competent yachter. Actually, it’s hard to find something she wasn’t good at.
19. She Was Effortlessly Engaging
From the sea to the salon, Madeleine proved to be one of the most engaging socialites on the scene. She had a natural wit and conversational ease that lit up New York’s drawing rooms and had her peers hanging on her every word. One man, in particular, couldn’t resist her charms.
20. She Found Her Bar Harbor Beau
During the waning days of summer in 1910, Madeleine had a chance encounter. Against the picturesque backdrop of Bar Harbor, she met the man who would alter the course of her life forever—though not necessarily for the better.
21. Her Future Hubby Was Richy Rich
In the summer of 1910, Madeleine crossed paths with none other than Colonel John Jacob Astor IV. The 46-year-old tycoon and heir to the Astor fortune was the most eligible (new) bachelor in town—though not necessarily because of his looks. Astor was worth an estimated $87 million—today valued at over $2.4 billion.
But you know what they say; more money, more problems.
22. Her Beau Was Damaged Good
When Madeleine met Astor at Bar Harbor, the millionaire bachelor was in the midst of a horrible scandal. Just a few months earlier, Astor’s ex-wife, Ava Willing Astor, filed for divorce in a highly publicized scandal that exposed Astor’s infidelity. And the scandal wasn’t over.
23. Her Beau Was On The Run
The reason that Astor ended up in Bar Harbor was nothing short of a scandal in and of itself. In August 1910, Ava made an unannounced appearance in Newport, Rhode Island. With her arrival, there was certainly turmoil in the air. Unwilling to cross paths with his recent ex-wife, Astor sailed for Bar Harbor, setting the stage for his meeting with Madeleine.
24. She Was The Master Of The Court
It was during that chance visit to Bar Harbor that Astor first saw Madeleine—and couldn’t bear the idea of not seeing her every day thereafter. Playing tennis with her sister, Madeleine caught his eye with her grace and youthful energy. You might say that it was a “game, set, and match” made in heaven.
25. She Held Him At “Love”
Later that day, Madeleine teamed up with Astor for a mixed-doubles match against their siblings. The game, as described by the New York American, sparked a devotion in him that was “constant and intense”. But fate, it would seem, was already conspiring against them.
26. She Couldn’t Marry Him Without Permission
Madeleine couldn’t have met Astor at a worse time. The terms of Astor’s divorce prohibited the millionaire bachelor from remarrying in New York for the rest of his ex-wife’s natural life, unless a court decided otherwise. Also, he was significantly poorer than he had been.
27. Her Future Hubby Gave Up A Fortune For His Freedom
Ava Willing Astor emerged from the divorce with millions—either a lump sum of $10 million or an annual allowance of $60,000 (modern equivalents of $281 million or $1.6 million, respectively). The settlement underscored the weight of the Astor fortune Madeleine would one day share—or miss out on.
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28. She Would Enter A Divided Family
Colonel Astor’s split with Ava reshaped his family. His son Vincent, 18, stayed by his side, while his daughter Muriel, seven, lived with Ava. This family dynamic would later color Madeleine’s place in the Astor household.
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29. Her Predecessor’s Legacy Loomed Large
After the passing of Colonel Astor’s mother, Mrs Astor, society speculated that Ava Willing Astor might take up the mantle of New York’s social queen. But, when she ultimately moved to London in 1911, she left the door wide open for another debutante—namely, Madeleine.
30. She Became Astor’s Winter Muse
By the winter of 1910, Madeleine had become a fixture in Astor’s social gatherings. As the guest of honor at his Saint Regis Hotel dinners, she found herself stepping into an increasingly public role. But becoming queen of New York’s high society wouldn’t happen easily.
31. She Was A Fixture In The Golden Horseshoe
Madeleine’s relationship with Astor continued to deepen, and the couple began making more public appearances together. New York’s high society members often spotted her in the Astor family’s reserved box at the Metropolitan Opera House, nestled within the coveted “golden horseshoe," with her mother by her side as a chaperone.
32. She Strengthened Her Social Standing
Madeleine's presence in the Astor box wasn’t just a social outing—it was a statement. Her constant proximity to Astor augmented her social standing within the elite circles of New York society. And everyone was taking notice.
33. She Became A Media Darling
During her courtship with Astor, Madeleine’s every move became a media spectacle. From automobile drives to yacht excursions, the press followed the couple relentlessly, turning her into an unwitting celebrity. She was all anyone could talk about.
34. She Captured Society’s Attention
By the spring of 1911, Madeleine was the subject of whispers among the Four Hundred. Headlines began to feature her prominently, with one proclaiming, “New York is interested in Miss Force, a young woman well known in New York society”. Other headlines were considerably more brazen.
35. She Was The Subject Of Speculation
In May 1911, the press took its intrigue a step further. “Pretty Girl May Marry Rich Mr. Astor,” read one headline. Soon, similar reports filled the gossip columns, sparking rumors that spread like wildfire. Eventually, Madeleine and her family would have to cave to media pressure.
36. She Became Officially Engaged
On August 1, 1911, Madeleine’s father put an end to the ceaseless speculation and gossip. From his office steps, he announced to reporters that Madeleine and Colonel Astor were, in fact, engaged. The exact wedding date, however, remained a mystery.
37. She Found Herself At The Center Of Controversy
In a shocking about-face, the announcement of Madeleine’s engagement ignited a storm of public outcry. From high society salons to small-town gatherings, the match sparked heated debates, dividing opinions across the nation. Even God seemed displeased.
38. She Drew Condemnation From The Clergy
Religious leaders from various denominations voiced their disapproval of the pending nuptials. Even the Roman Catholic Church joined the chorus of dissent, condemning the union and calling it a violation of moral decency.
39. She Navigated A Church Controversy
Though Colonel Astor, an Episcopalian, technically adhered to his church’s doctrine around marriage, his recent divorce left many clergy unwilling to officiate the ceremony. The engagement became a lightning rod for moral outrage.
40. She Faced Cruel Judgments
Critics attacked both Madeleine and Colonel Astor with harsh accusations. Detractors believed their engagement was an extension of his “wicked lust” and dismissed her as merely a “conquest of beauty” subjecting her to the sting of public scorn. But the detractors might have had a point.
41. She Faced Scrutiny Over Their Age Gap
At 18, Madeleine was nearly 30 years younger than her 47-year-old fiancé. The stark age difference, combined with Astor’s recent divorce, became fodder for endless gossip and societal outrage. But it may just have been a convenient excuse.
42. She Made Other Women Jealous
Divorced or not, Astor was still the most eligible bachelor in New York—and probably the world. As a result, Madeleine began receiving vile letters from other young women who wanted to take her place as the object of Astor’s desires. The bitter missives revealed the jealousy and vitriol her engagement had stirred.
43. She Fell Ill From Stress
The relentless scrutiny and hostility took their toll on Madeleine. Shortly after announcing their engagement, amidst the media frenzy, she fell gravely ill. Reports attributed her sickness to the severe nervous and physical strain of her impending marriage. She didn’t even have a shoulder to cry on.
44. Her Former Friends Shunned Her
While Colonel Astor endured scathing headlines, it was Madeleine who bore the brunt of the Four Hundred’s disapproval. Social elites who had previously fawned over her and snubbed her at events. What's more? They refused to recognize her as the future Mrs Astor. Fortunately, she had a lot of money to wipe her tears with.
45. Her Engagement Ring Cost A Fortune
By late August, Madeleine had regained her health, only to find herself back in the public eye. Reports of her dazzling $30,000 engagement ring (about $843,000 today) and rumored $5 million settlement reignited the media furor. This time, her true friends came to her rescue.
46. Her Friends Came To Her Rescue
Amid the uproar and accusations of gold-digging, Madeleine’s real friends rushed to her defense. They insisted that the couple was a true love match, rejecting claims of opportunism or lust.
“Any talk about this being anything but a love match is ridiculous,” one confidant declared. Still, the people who mattered most opposed her marriage.
47. She Struggled To Find A Willing Officiant
With their nuptials quickly approaching, Madeleine and Astor struggled to find a clergyman to officiate the proceedings. Many pastors refused outright, and rumors began swirling that Astor was offering bribes, with one Presbyterian minister reportedly receiving a $20,000 offer to perform the ceremony.
48. She Insisted On Finding The Right Officiant
Finally, Madeleine and Astor found their man; a carpenter and former Baptist pastor who agreed to officiate their wedding. But Madeleine, ever conscious of appearances, refused. She demanded a clergyman in “good standing” to preside over her nuptials, rejecting alternatives.
49. She Found Her Match In A Minister
In the end, a Congregationalist pastor named Revered Joseph Lambert agreed to perform the ceremony. His involvement finally ended the frantic search for an officiant—but it didn’t end the scandal.
50. She Married The Richest Man
The date of Madeleine and Astor's wedding was September 10, 1911. The happy couple exchanged vows at Beechwood—his magnificent oceanside estate in Newport, Rhode Island. The ceremony, though intimate, marked the culmination of months of speculation and drama. But it came with a hefty price tag.
51. Her Husband May Have Paid Off Their Priest
Reverend Lambert, who officiated Madeleine’s wedding, may not have been the upstanding man she had hoped. He later refused to discuss any potential financial arrangements between himself and Astor, stating it was “nobody’s business". Still, rumors swirled that he received $2,000 for the ceremony—a sum equivalent to $56,000 today.
There may have been an early omen that their union was already ill-fated.
52. She Witnessed Her Officiant’s Fall From Grace
The backlash against Reverend Lambert for performing Madeleine’s wedding was swift. By November, he resigned from the church amidst nationwide criticism, reportedly leaving to “go into business” as his clerical career unraveled. It was an ominous start to Madeleine’s marriage—and possibly foreshadowed the tragedy ahead.
53. She Embarked On An Extravagant Honeymoon
Undeterred by the scandal surrounding Lambert, Madeleine and Astor set off on a luxurious honeymoon. They started in Rhinecliff-on-the-Hudson in New York before journeying to Bermuda. Their next destination was even more exotic.
54. She Prepared For A Global Adventure
By November, news of Madeleine and Astor’s next stop on their honeymoon captivated the public. The couple announced plans to visit Egypt, with the intention of traveling to the Nile by January 1912.
55. She Met A Future Titanic Companion
While exploring Egypt, Madeleine and her husband joined Margaret "Molly" Brown, a bold socialite with her own controversial reputation. The meeting of these two women would gain haunting significance in the months to come.
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56. She Boarded The Titanic In Style
After their time in Egypt, Madeleine and Astor toured Europe before embarking on the RMS Titanic at Cherbourg, France. They traveled with a select party, including her adorable dog, Kitty, and a private nurse. She was, after all, baking one in the oven.
57. She Was Pregnant Aboard The Titanic
Early on in her honeymoon, Madeleine had become pregnant, requiring “constant care”. By the time she boarded the Titanic, she was already four months along and already showing a small bump. Suffice to say, comfort aboard the ship was one of her highest priorities.
58. She Kept A Low Profile On The Titanic
During the journey, Madeleine often indulged in strolls along the ship's deck with her husband and Kitty. However, beyond that, she usually stayed in their opulent first-class cabins, C-62-64—some of the best suites on the boat. Whether for her health or to avoid whispers about her marriage, she chose not to make too many appearances with the rest of the first-class passengers.
But she couldn’t hide from what came next.
59. She Slept Through The Initial Iceberg Impact
On the night of April 14, 1912, Madeleine had retired to her cabin when the Titanic began its tragic story, striking an iceberg at 11:40 PM. Unaware of the looming disaster, she slept as the great ship began to falter. She would get a rude awakening.
60. Her Husband Gave Her A Rude Awakening
It was Astor who first sensed the danger. Waking from his own slumber, he woke Madeleine, urging her to dress quickly. Leaving her to prepare, he set off to find Captain Edward Smith and assess the situation. What he learned was terrifying.
61. She Saw The Fear In Her Husband’s Eyes
When Colonel Astor returned to their quarters, Madeleine noticed his grave expression. Though he assured her there was “no danger,” she couldn’t ignore the weight behind his words: the Titanic had struck an iceberg.
62. Her Husband Was The “Calmest Man”
Amid the chaos on deck, Madeleine later recalled her husband as the “calmest man” aboard the Titanic. His steadiness became a source of strength during the unfolding disaster.
63. She Trusted Her Husband’s Confidence In The Unsinkable Ship
Colonel Astor’s confidence in the Titanic seemed unshaken. Witnesses overheard him declare, “We are safer here than in that little...” referring to the lifeboats that the crew were lowering into the water. It’s not clear whether he believed those words or not. Madeleine almost certainly didn’t.
64. She Felt His Care For Her Safety
Though outwardly calm, Colonel Astor insisted Madeleine change into warmer clothes. Standing on the deck, he helped her don the layers his valet had grabbed for her, determined to protect her against the freezing night. Even amidst the chaos, she proved the strength of her moral character.
65. She Showed Kindness Amid The Chaos
In the midst of the commotion, Madeleine noticed third-class passenger Leah Aks with her young son. In a gesture of compassion that clearly demonstrated her charitable and selfless spirit, she gave the mother her fur scarf to help warm the baby up. She clearly didn’t understand the grave situation they were in.
66. She Found A Moment Of Surreal Calm
While waiting for further instructions, Madeleine and Colonel Astor retreated to the gymnasium. Donning their life jackets, they sat on mechanical horses while Astor cut open a jacket with a penknife to show his wife its inner stuffings. Little did they know, things were about to take a much darker turn.
67. She Escaped Doom Through A Window
When the time came, Madeleine, her maid, and her nurse boarded Lifeboat #4. However, to get themselves properly situated, they had to maneuver themselves through a first-class promenade window. It was a perilous move, but her husband was there to assist her. She had no idea that these would be their last moments together.
68. She Had To Leave Her Husband Behind
Colonel Astor asked Second Officer Charles Lightoller for permission to join Madeleine on the lifeboat, citing her “delicate condition”. However, Lightoller denied the request, saying that women and children had to go first. The account of what happened next is heartbreaking.
69. Her Final Moments On The Titanic Caught The Senate’s Attention
Survivor Archibald Gracie IV later recounted Madeleine and Astor’s final exchange to the US Senate Titanic inquiry. He described Colonel Astor’s composure, recalling his plea to accompany her and, more chillingly, his final words of reassurance to his pregnant 18-year-old wife.
70. She Saw Her Husband For The Last Time
As the crew lowered Lifeboat #4 into the frigid sea below the sinking ship, Colonel Astor called out to Madeleine: “The sea is calm and you will be all right. You are in good hands and I will meet you in the morning”. Sadly, these would be the last words she ever heard from him.
But her real struggle was just beginning.
71. She Survived A Chaotic Descent
Only a moment before Madeleine’s lifeboat made it to the water, around 1:55 AM, a man in a "state of great excitement" jumped from the deck. The crazed and panicked passenger landed among Madeleine and the other women on their lifeboat. He proved to be almost as dangerous as the sinking luxury liner itself.
72. She Fought Against The Sea
Madeleine took up an oar alongside other women in the lifeboat, rowing desperately to escape the pull and whirlpools caused by the sinking ship. When the Titanic disappeared beneath the waves at 2:20 AM, its force nearly pulled them down into the Arctic waters.
73. She Helped Save Lives
As icy seawater flooded into their lifeboat, Madeleine and the others bailed it out with frantic urgency. Once the whirlpool calmed, they rowed back to rescue survivors, managing to pull six men from the freezing water. Despite the chaos, Madeleine maintained “the greatest courage and fortitude”.
But no amount of courage could prepare her for what came next.
74. She Lost Everything But Her Life
Colonel Astor, his valet, and even Kitty, their cherished Airedale terrier, perished with the sinking of the Titanic. Only Madeleine, her maid, and her nurse survived, clinging to life in the freezing Atlantic until the crew of the RMS Carpathia pulled them to safety.
75. She Returned To Solid Ground In A Fragile State
When Madeleine returned to New York, she was a ghost of herself. Reportedly, she was “dazed by shock” and suffering from a “nervous collapse”. Her doctors prescribed strict bed rest to help her recover from the traumatic ordeal and to protect her pregnancy.
76. She Was Full Of Grief And Horror
Physicians ordered Madeleine not to speak about the tragic sinking of the Titanic, fearing it would worsen her fragile state. They noted her “badly shattered” nerves, adding that she spent much of her waking hours “weeping with the recollection of the horror” she had endured. She just sounded happy to be alive.
77. She Thanked The Men Who Saved Her
By the end of May 1912, Madeleine held her first social gathering since the tragedy. Alongside fellow survivor Marian Thayer, she hosted a luncheon to honor Captain Arthur Rostron and Dr Frank McGee of the Carpathia, the ship that had rescued them. The only comfort she had left, however, was a vast fortune.
78. Her Husband Left Her A Fortune—With Conditions
Colonel Astor’s will left Madeleine $100,000 outright, plus the annuities from a $5 million trust fund, and the use of the family’s Fifth Avenue mansion. However, these provisions came with a caveat: She would lose the trust income and house if she ever remarried.
Fortunately, she had more to remember her late husband by than just his money.
79. She Welcomed A New Life
On August 14, 1912, Madeleine gave birth to her son, John Jacob “Jakey” Astor VI—aka the “Titanic Baby”—at her Fifth Avenue home. Colonel Astor had left a $3 million fund in trust for his unborn child, ensuring Jakey’s financial security. With the miraculous birth of her child, however, Madeleine could no longer avoid the media.
80. She Slowly Rejoined Society
For years after the Titanic disaster, Madeleine led a quiet life, focused on raising her son, Jakey. However, by late 1913, she began reappearing in social circles, with the press publishing her first photograph since the sinking of the Titanic. It would take her another few years to fully recover from the tragedy.
81. She Married For Love Again
On June 22, 1916, Madeleine did something that indicated she had finally put that horrible incident behind her. She married her childhood friend, William Karl Dick, in Bar Harbor, Maine. Though this marriage cut her off from the Astor fortune, she seemed happy again, producing two more sons. However, even this second marriage hit an iceberg.
82. She Endured Another Divorce
Madeleine and Dick divorced on July 21, 1933, in Reno, Nevada. But she didn’t spend nearly as much time mending her broken heart as she had after Astor’s frigid demise. Just months later, on November 27, she married Italian actor and boxer Enzo Fiermonte in New York City, eventually settling in Palm Beach, Florida.
Still, true love evaded her.
83. She Faced More Heartbreak
Madeleine’s third marriage to Fiermonte ended in divorce on June 11, 1938. Unlike her previous marriage, she had no children with Fiermonte, and her life once again shifted toward solitude in her Palm Beach mansion. However, she was haunted by the ghosts of her past.
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84. She Met An Untimely End
Like an iceberg out of the briny blue, Madeleine passed unexpectedly on March 27, 1940, at just 46 years of age. The official cause of her demise was an undisclosed heart ailment, however, there’s speculation that the real cause was more devastating.
Some sources claim that Madeleine’s heart failure was the result of an overdose—a poignant close to a life marked by tragedy and resilience.