Anderson Cooper with Andy Cohen: Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune

After writing about his family, the Vanderbilts, Anderson Cooper began thinking about the once formidable Astor clan. Nearly all the Astor real estate, money, and power are gone, along with the New York society they dominated. How did one of America’s greatest fortunes disappear? Cooper talks with Andy Cohen to discuss his novel, Astor: The Rise and Fall of an American Fortune. Recorded September 20, 2023 at The 92nd Street Y, New York.
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[@arjones0819]

I love Andersons giggle. I can be in a funk and just hearing it makes me smile ❤

[@BwInNewJersey]

I can listen to Andersons stories all day. He has a great knowledge of New York society that I find fascinating

[@susanjaneleitner7670]

Andy really knows how to make Anderson laugh. It’s delightful!

[@suzannetabor288]

A side note: On 26 July 2006, Annette de la Renta (Oscar de la Renta’s wife)was appointed temporary guardian of the 104-year-old Brooke Astor, a long-time friend, in the wake of elder abuse allegations being made against Astor's son, Anthony Dryden Marshall.[citation needed] On 13 October 2006, de la Renta became permanent guardian.

[@tammieherrington6379]

I really love these two together!! Anderson has not been corrupted by his privilege and money. We can't leave this without mentioning his giggle! I think that helps us forget from which he comes and he seems just like the rest of us! Thank you for the reality!

[@edgartriay8485]

Me too.

[@janneswearengen9990]

His podcasts are wonderful

[@Starchild42]

I love when they get drunk and Anderson gets the giggles...they are very good and their babies are so cute

[@lindamcmeeking23]

I know right? He is SO interesting to listen to. The history of his family is SO interesting. I love it. I went to Biltmore Castle, Asheville, North Carolina a few years ago when I was there on holiday and it is AMAZING. Spent all day there. The history of the Vanderbuilts is so interesting. Love the stories.

[@michelleford6523]

I agree😅

[@shirleyfrost9909]

Why can't I meet a straight guy with all the qualities these men have. Love both of them

[@mikepeterson7175]

I met Brooke Astor when I was working in Maine at Acadia National Park after college. She drove up from NYC in a sports car with her son. She asked me to guess her age, I hemmed and hawed then said 70. She laughed and said 94, I was shocked! Then she pointed to her son and said that he was 72…he looked older then her to me! She seemed sweet and looks amazing…and I was only a lowly worker 😊

[@veeherreraJanecka]

“Lowly worker “. You’re just as important as anyone else. But I hear you.

[@mollyjane98]

For all those mentioning Anderson’s giggle, he gets it from his mom, Gloria. They didn’t even realize it until he started recording their conversations shortly before her death. He talks about it on his wonderful podcast about loss and grief, “All There Is.”

[@lindamcmeeking23]

Where can I find the podcast All There Is????? I would love to listen to it.

[@ginihampton5305]

AC2 FAN FOR LIFE! ❤

[@rallimb486]

andersons laugh SENDS ME everytime 😂

[@77RedBone]

I love you two together!! LMAO Anderson: GIRRRRL!

[@paulvoorhies8821]

Miss Sarajevo.

[@margaretthompson8357]

Anderson has the best laugh

[@jena9220]

I loved this! I just love them together. I think so highly of Anderson. I concluded that it is simply because he is just a decent human being.

[@paulvoorhies8821]

100%

[@kathleenhoban9630]

Give Anderson wine and he gets so loquacious!

[@paulvoorhies8821]

😮😂

[@torriezenna653]

This story should be made into a series!

[@rebeccamaser4111]

The two of them are clearly friends and that makes this interview so very fun! The endless giggle when asked about his “bucket list” was worth the watch alone!

[@aromaathome]

I absolutely love Anderson. ❤️ I think this is the first time I’ve ever heard him drop an F bomb….. and I loved it, lol!

[@1Avatar]

I am so envious from afar over the friendship these 2 have have

[@rebellucy6200]

I like Anderson Cooper. Seems like a humble guy and good Dad. The most trustworthy newscaster is probably something I would disagree with. He reads the script and often ignores the reality and hard truth. Other than that he seems like a good guy.

[@procrastnwriter]

Anderson Cooper should be required to be MY HUSBAND. I don't care, I'll adjust, make arrangements, he can date, hell I'm already married but damn, I love that man.

[@michelerogers9899]

Anderson I love the way you told the story (your book).Andy I love the way you tease Anderson. Will be watching you two on New Year’s Eve😊

[@AmyCat71]

Anderson's authentic laugh/giggle is one of the best sounds I have ever heard. And he will always be my Special Agent A.X.L Pendergast casting for the amazing book series by Douglas Patterson and Lincoln Child.

[@GregCurtin45]

Everything about this interview / book tour was well beyond my expectations. It's rare to listen to public figures share emotional pain and triggering events from their lives. (Yes, we know lots of celebrities fake drams to get attention -- and I am not referring to those.) Their real love of each other's company and value of friendship comes through. Beyond all of the fun chatter and gentle ribbing the book sounds amazing. Thank you Andy and Anderson for sharing your experiences and to #92NY for hosting and posting this on KZbin.

[@lindamcmeeking23]

I love watching the rapport between you two. Such good friends. You know each other so well that Andy can almost finish Anderson's sentences.

[@tokyodo555]

I love both of them so much. I wish I had a friend like either one of them.

[@snoes59]

❤brilliant,brilliant book, read it in top speed ! Love Anderson’s passion for the history of these famous families ❤

[@dalemartinez1086]

I really liked Anderson's reading for the audio book. Loved it. Thanks.

[@dabeage]

Animated Anderson is so fun to watch...who knew?

[@princesssummerland7269]

I have to buy this book. Love his books. Excellent writer. ❤

[@lindamcmeeking23]

I love this history. So good. Plus I love the Guilded Age. Which the second season begins this weekend. Hooray.

[@dianevaccarodavison3587]

Can't wait for them to do a couple of shots together on NYE this year. (NOT the entire bottle!) They are so hilarious together ❤️ !!!

[@beasleybrother1]

Okkkk. I can now be a happy man now that I have heard Anderson Cooper say “Gurl….”

[@jackiebinns6205]

Oh man I love this ! Silver fox is really talking lol ! Im so happy for you Anderson !

[@ColleenDaumen2]

Fantastic duo.. cannot WAIT to read the book 🥰🩷❤️

[@cliftonbowers6376]

Thank Anderson for this on the Astor family..pm I need to get hold ofx

[@pandskocer1362]

I love these two together!!

[@LetsHavaChat]

This interview was so good! I didn’t want it to end!

[@debpate9405]

Best buddies , fun to watch them joke around. I'd like to read Anderson book.

[@PeacefulPariah]

Andy Cohen is a riot. He is so quick-witted. His "make love to a woman" quip was hilarious.

[@annemcdonald5602]

Fascinating interview! Thank you!

[@wendyvanhorn6386]

Great rapport! Excellent conversation - I look forward to reading the book!

[@victoriageist6244]

How interesting and the history Alone, I'm going have to get this Book , Thank You Anderson

[@thunderousapplause]

glad AC is back safely from Israel.

[@loditx7706]

These are absolutely charming and amusing men, ensemble and singular. The fur trade was a bloody trade, all trades based on the death of anything is bloody and reprehensible. Thank you, Mr. Cooper, for saying that. I am going on Amazon right now to order Astor. Just hearing y’all talk about it convinced me that it will be as witty and informative as a book I love, The Great Mortality. If you have not read it, you should!! I love you both. I wish Mrs. Astor’s bar was still extant ( I’m assuming it’s not.) so I could nag my son and his partner to go there and report back. Truly my best wishes to you both and your children and your families for health and happiness and longevity. ❤ Mr. Cooper, I adore your giggle and laughter. It makes me laugh, too. Thank you

[@ho2cultcha]

Anderson appears to be very humble, despite his accomplishments. Very likable person.

[@dawnintucson]

A+ interview, but i’ve never seen Anderson lose his 💩 like that. Loved it so much ! ❤

[@MillaySays]

Great session!

[@JoyceMartincream]

So interesting. Thanks for sharing.❤👍

[@observer74]

I need a second night of this with Very Special Guests- George St. Geegland & Gil Faizon. Seriously.

[@knockshinnoch1950]

I really enjoyed this interview.

[@rosebudame]

Terrific you two!

[@bbnicks8317]

this is the most entertaining interview ♥

[@sebeckley]

His giggling kills me.

[@montresian]

Fascinating to hear you both

[@50hellkat2]

Anderson and Andy complement each other. Anderson has experienced a lot of tragic and complicated loss in his personal life. I think Anderson has a wonderful sense of humour as many people do who have had darkness on his level. I would challenge Andy to deal with things Anderson has and come out with Anderson's strength. Anderson has a lot of his father in him and his mother brought a lot of deep perspectives to the table for him as well. Someone should write a book about Anderson and his family history.

[@JimATLANTA1]

What a great talk!

[@pugginspice]

I got here after visiting the mansions in Newport last weekend and watching the Gilded Age on HBO….fascinating and FUN interview!

[@misslegacyatheart]

I honestly came here for Anderson and Andy but I found myself utterly fascinated by the stories Andeeson was telling. He made the craziness of New York society so enjoyable I would want to spend another hour just hearing more of them.

[@earthmama5659]

I love Anderson! I’ve watched him since he did the early early ABC morning news. His Mother brought a birthday cake to him on air for his birthday! I fell in love.🩷

[@lynndenault4212]

This should be fun!

[@joeshmooo5327]

Like Anderson to look at the Walmart Family. Probably the closest to a modern day Astore with there combined wealth.

[@Familylawgroup]

Do these two have a daily podcast? We all know they are the best of friends and now they are sharing parenthood struggles and journeys. I live in St. Louis and I knew Andy Cohen from speech and debate competitions in the area. I like reading books about famous St. Louisians. I would LOVE to watch Andy show Anderson the “insiders guide to St. Louis.” St. Louis has at least FIVE fantastic destinations for children and their parents, locations that are quite unique. I am certain their children would love 1) The Magic House, 2) The City Museum (which is NOT a museum but a behemoth indoor/outdoor crawling and climbing experience allowing people and kids to climb under the floors, up the trees and staircase trellis and outdoor frames holding an airplane and a school bus. One MUST wear comfortable tennis shoes and layers of clothes (when they overheat from exercise); 3) The St. Louis Zoo (the still free world-famous zoo, located in Forest Park); 4) St. Louis Science Center (another mostly-free hands-on experience with the FUN of the scientific work) AND 5) OUTDOOR seats in Muny Opera House or Six Flags (with Hurricane Harbor’s free water park) or the trip to the top of the St. Louis Arch.

[@irenemilzoff1958]

M

[@ericaroberts772]

Now do one, where he tells us how all the current rich people are also psychopaths. thank you!

[@krnstc]

Loved this, love their banter lol

[@lieuphuongmai9592]

Love

[@keiththompson9575]

I've read several (more than 8) books about the Vanderbilt-Astor saga. He has consolidated the salient points into a rather light-hearted but very accurate summary of the key points in all of these familial dramas and complicated relationships which makes The Thornbirds all the more believable. When he was speaking of Caroline Astor and the gay-straight bar, there are some interesting "not-quite-said-and-only-obtusely-alluded-to" that she had a far greater interest in women than men. One of several allusions-to were the paintings she had done in her ballroom as well as statues that adorned her new mansion that predominantly celebrated the female body--and men were relegated to filling in the background. Caroline Astor did say on at least one occasion that she found the female body far more attractive than the male (read the books, I can't remember the exact wording). She was also independently wealthy without having to rely on her boozing and unfaithful husband for spousal support. This also empowered her more than the average female during that time--unless one considers Alva Vanderbilt Belmont. In Caroline Astor's estimation Alva was crude, new money that hadn't really been earned or inherited over several generations. The soap-saga that Anderson is outlining is done with delightful humor: it's easy for him now to stand back and look at the social/financial mess of the Gilded Age and laugh with sincerity! It was a plastic age of unsustainable excess.

[@maynewzion2661]

Love Anderson and Andy. Both brilliant, fun and wonderful story tellers. I believe they are “What you see, is what you get”. Thanks guys, always entertaining. 💙💙💙🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@JennA-zz7yr]

I love you both

[@trinascalf9518]

Anderson is a lovely human being

[@nancybarnett7984]

I love conversations between these two! I thought it was interesting that Anderson felt he was going to die at age 50. My children’s father also died early at age 47. My boys always talk like they will die at that age too.

[@lorrie2878]

I now see where David Rose (Dan Levy) got some of his inspiration for a classy man.

[@jj6282]

Seriously Andy? "That's so dramatic" He peddles manufactured drama for a living. Anderson reports on and writes about actual reality

[@michaelleary9233]

That's what I think, I respect Anderson but wish he wasn't Andy's sidekick, he could do better.

[@happycat3399]

It’s like they are the yin and Yang of each other. But complete trust and admiration for the other’s strength’s. So fun!!

[@jj6282]

@@happycat3399 I do think Andy is really likeable. Just found it funny that HE found it dramatic

[@campcoco9526]

Please run as President and Vice President…..perfect partnership you two!!!

[@thunderousapplause]

We will all die alone, Andy. It’s a solo job, honey.

[@dianewhalen9721]

I think America could benefit from knowing IT’s history.Then they could figure themselves out and create a new America.There are a lot of poorly educated people in America.That’s one of the reasons they are in the state they are in🙏🏼🇺🇸

[@KatyWithAWhyyy]

I love both these gents and loved Anderson's first book but tried to do Astor and couldn't get through the intimate details of the fur trade. Oof. I get he needed to cover it but my god the details on the traps and how the animals died and....ugh. I'm gonna try again. It was rough.

[@happycat3399]

Let’s hear Anderson take on the Biltmore Estate. That would be fun👏

[@DrNancyLivingCoCreatively]

I studied this ravage of the land. What happened sucks. That's important history. Wet nurses BREAST fed... I imagine they were poor .

[@annerodgers8529]

👋❤️👍

[@suzannedrawdy5946]

Guess it's really good Hearted and friends society that always makes it easier for His own Means FYI seemingly benign but somehow it is ignira😢Gratuity means tendering, giving, or providing anything of more than nominal monetary value including, but not limited to, cash, travel, entertainment, gifts, meals, lodging, loans, subscriptions, advances, deposits of money,❤😅😊🎉

[@anncata7368]

The Aster family slumlords. So too the Trump family!!

[@suzannedrawdy5946]

Girl Friday helping Him knows More..😢

[@evanmoose]

andy looks very very handsome here ❤

[@gordonakers8247]

Those people were WEIRD! 😜😂😝

[@Mimichele1719]

Id like to hear Anderson talk more about the book. Andy sounds a little drunk but acts more stoned. Lol

[@kitshemas3055]

Andy, that is absolutely the most hideous tie I’ve ever seen! 😂

[@gregpendrey6711]

Now we have 2 or 3 Jack Ass..tors. Starting with our present co.

[@thunderousapplause]

I doubt if Anderson Cooper has ever been indiscreet in his life. More is the pity, he would probably have a good time. 😂

[@waynejones750]

Who’s been drinking😮

[@jennymulinaro6036]

BOTH

[@lawrenrich-nf3ni]

Anderson cooper is New York .. one side of it anyway

[@IsaDesOsiers]

Hearing all these stories about the Astor's, the Prescott-Bush's or the Vanderbilt's, recounted by Anderson Cooper is fascinating and delightful. However, sigh...apparently Anderson Cooper is friends with this Andy Cohen fellow, but why? I find him so grating. And have read so many similar comments on social media when he is interviewed. Cohen is kind of obnoxious, does he have a psychological disorder, such as Asperger's Syndrome? His discourse is largely inappropriate, and he says strangely weird things that are rude, in sudden interjections into interactions during interviews. I feel bad saying this but he kind of astounds me as a public person.

[@jonathansparks3386]

Did Anderson and Cathy Griffin ever kiss and make up???

[@littlefinger5199]

Name a better duo… besides Beyoncé and Blue Ivy? 😅 I’ll wait!

[@princesssummerland7269]

Is Andy loaded 😂😂😂

[@kayeroskaft9619]

That’s my question.

[@BigGuyBoleslaw]

Websites that track stuff like that say he's worth $50 million and is paid about $10 million a year. Look at all the advertising dollars sold on the shows he does at A & E. He's actually underpaid. The housewife's shows and Watch What Happens LIve are about 10+ hours of programming a week. He gets a lot done and makes it look very easy. He used to produce and write very serious documentaries for CBS. He has a lot more fun being shallow.

[@jgator6694]

@@BigGuyBoleslawA&E? You mean Bravo?

[@BigGuyBoleslaw]

yes@@jgator6694

[@TheLiberatedHealer]

The fall of America is in part to Andy Cohen’s terrible shows of the worst people!

[@mimishepard8298]

So dramatic!

[@PeacefulPariah]

Oh God! The fall of America? You're being ridiculous. Lighten up.

[@gregpendrey6711]

Im so happy that her rejected Kathy Griffin because she is so important her career entitled. Soft closing doors of course.

[@Zod741]

Vanderbilts owned slaves

[@user-tw6im3nd8z]

It’s funny how Anderson writes books abt these millionaires n how “bad” they were, forgetting he comes from those families n has their blood. To later make a mockery out of them w Andy n joke, why?

[@beverlysnow9315]

He doesn’t forget he came from one of these wealthy families. He has often mentioned that he was aware from an early age that he would not be inheriting any money. The Vanderbilts did not provide any money for his mom, hence her line of jeans.

[@user-tw6im3nd8z]

@@beverlysnow9315 right but still makes a mockery of his family, his blood, then why’s he writing abt them n making money from his books on them🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

[@kit2564]

WHY IS A RES[ECTED JOURNALIST STILL HANGING OUT WITH A LIGHTWEIGHT LIKE ANDY - BECAUSE ;ANDY MAKES HIM LOOK HUMAN? THEY ACTIUALLY WENT ON A COMEDY TOUR BUT I GUESS ANDERSON WANTS TO LOOK MORE SERIOUS........BUT HE DUMPED KATHY GRIFFIN?

[@beverlysnow9315]

They are both single parents of 2 kids, and hard workers. It works that they are friends.

[@jonimarsh9105]

They both dumped Kathy Griffin. They owe her an apology. They had been friends with her for years. Time to make up. Especially with the kids .

[@gogranlund]

Andy Cohen is not a very good interviewer. He interrupts his guest. It's annoying. Let the man tell the story. I don't care if they are good friends, he can save the digs (to insert himself into Anderson's stories) for later. I want to listen to Anderson's stories, not Andy Cohen's obvious efforts to make it about himself.