The Vanderbilt family tree traces the rise of Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794–1877), a self-made shipping and railroad magnate, through four generations of immense wealth, Gilded Age mansions, and eventual decline in prominence. His descendants branched into two main lines—the older line through his son William Henry Vanderbilt and the younger through his other sons—with the family’s fortune peaking in the late 19th century before being largely dispersed by the mid-20th century.
Cornelius Vanderbilt: The Patriarch
Cornelius Vanderbilt, known as the “Commodore,” was born on Staten Island, New York, to a modest farming family. He began his career ferrying passengers and freight in New York Harbor, then expanded into steamship lines and, later, railroads. By the time of his death in 1877, he had amassed a fortune estimated at $100 million—equivalent to billions today. He and his wife, Sophia Johnson, had nine children, but only one son, William Henry Vanderbilt, would carry the family business forward. Cornelius famously left the bulk of his estate to William, disinheriting his other sons and giving his daughters only modest inheritances.
William Henry Vanderbilt: The Heir Who Doubled the Fortune
William Henry Vanderbilt (1821–1885) was the only son to inherit control of the family’s railroad empire. He proved a capable businessman, doubling the family’s wealth to about $200 million within a decade. He and his wife, Maria Louisa Kissam, had eight children: four sons (Cornelius II, William Kissam, Frederick William, and George Washington) and four daughters (Margaret, Emily, Florence, and Eliza). William Henry’s death in 1885 triggered a massive estate settlement, with the bulk of the fortune divided among his sons. This generation built the grand mansions that defined the Gilded Age, including the Breakers in Newport and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina.
The Third Generation: The Gilded Age Splendor
The third generation of Vanderbilts—the sons of William Henry—became famous for their opulent lifestyles. Cornelius Vanderbilt II (1843–1899) built a 130-room mansion on Fifth Avenue in New York City, while his brother William Kissam Vanderbilt (1849–1920) commissioned the Marble House in Newport and the Château de Candé in France. George Washington Vanderbilt (1862–1914) built the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina, the largest privately owned house in the United States, with 250 rooms. These brothers also married into prominent families, including the Whitneys and the Goelets, but their spending outpaced their income. By the early 20th century, the family’s wealth began to erode as they sold off railroad holdings and the cost of maintaining their estates grew.
The Fourth Generation and Beyond: The Decline
The fourth generation, born between the 1880s and 1910s, saw the family’s fortune dissipate. Many descendants pursued careers in the arts, academia, and philanthropy rather than business. For example, Cornelius Vanderbilt IV (1898–1974) became a newspaper publisher and author, while Gloria Vanderbilt (1924–2019) was a fashion designer and socialite. By the mid-20th century, several family members had sold their mansions or converted them into museums. The family’s prominence faded, but a few descendants, such as Gloria’s son Anderson Cooper, the CNN anchor, have remained in the public eye. Today, the Vanderbilt family tree includes hundreds of descendants, but none are among the wealthiest Americans.
Key Family Lines and Notable Descendants
Two main branches dominate the family tree:
- The New York line (descendants of Cornelius II) focused on social prominence, with many members marrying into other elite families like the Astors and the Whitneys.
- The Newport line (descendants of William Kissam) centered on the summer colony in Rhode Island, building the famous cottages that are now tourist attractions.
- The Biltmore line (descendants of George Washington) continues to own and operate the Biltmore Estate as a historic site, making it one of the few Vanderbilt properties still in family hands.
Notable descendants include Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt (1877–1915), who died on the Lusitania, and Harold Stirling Vanderbilt (1884–1970), a champion yachtsman who helped develop contract bridge.
Common Misconceptions
A frequent misconception is that the Vanderbilt family is still one of the richest in America. In reality, the fortune was largely dissipated by the third and fourth generations due to extravagant spending and poor investment decisions. Another myth is that Cornelius Vanderbilt disinherited all his children except William Henry; in fact, he left his daughters $500,000 each and his other sons smaller sums, but the bulk went to William. Also, many people assume the Biltmore Estate is still owned by a Vanderbilt descendant; it is, but it is run as a business, and the family no longer lives there full-time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first Vanderbilt?
The first prominent Vanderbilt was Cornelius Vanderbilt, but the family’s American roots trace to Jan Aertszoon van der Bilt, a Dutch farmer who emigrated to New Netherland (now New York) in the 1650s. Cornelius was his great-great-grandson.
Are there any Vanderbilts alive today?
Yes, there are many living descendants of Cornelius Vanderbilt. They are spread across the United States and Europe, but none are major public figures except Anderson Cooper, whose mother was Gloria Vanderbilt.
What happened to the Vanderbilt fortune?
The fortune was eroded by high taxes, lavish spending on mansions and yachts, and unwise investments. By the 1940s, many family members had sold their properties or relied on trust funds that had shrunk significantly.
How many Vanderbilt mansions still exist?
Several survive, including the Breakers and Marble House in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Many are now museums open to the public.
Did any Vanderbilts become famous outside business?
Yes, Gloria Vanderbilt was a noted artist and designer, her son Anderson Cooper is a well-known journalist, and Harold Stirling Vanderbilt was a prominent yachtsman and bridge player.
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