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They were once the RICHEST in the world and today they are poor: Meet the Vanderbilt family and explain how they went from LUXURY to TRASH in a short time!

Written by Roberta Souza
Published 02/05/2024 às 19:13
richest family in the world - fortune - vanderbilt family
photo/reproduction: uol

From the height of wealth to urban legend, the trajectory of the Vanderbilt family

According to global knowledge, the Vanderbilt family is a name that resonates through American history as a symbol of unimaginable wealth and social influence. However, the narrative of this richest family in the world it is also a chronicle of financial and cultural decline. Let's explore how luck of the Vanderbilts, built on cunning and determination, dissipated amid a lifestyle of opulence and questionable economic decisions.

In fact, almost everyone has a grandfather who was once extremely rich and lost everything gambling, right? Imagine if your grandfather was just the richest person in the world and the empire starts to fall apart, it must be painful, huh? Stay here and we'll tell you everything in detail.

The Legacy of Cornelius Vanderbilt and his richest family in the world

Cornelius Vanderbilt, the patriarch, laid the foundations of an empire in maritime transport and rail, accumulating a luck which would make him the richest man in America. His descendants expanded their interests into other sectors, including real estate and philanthropy. The Vanderbilt family built lavish mansions and extravagant “summer homes,” such as the famous Breakers mansion in Newport, Rhode Island.

richest family in the world - fortune - vanderbilt family
photo/reproduction: guestreservations

The Golden Age and Unbridled Consumption

During Golden Age, the Vanderbilts were at their peak, living a lifestyle that defined the American elite. They were known for their extravagant parties and mansions that rivaled European palaces. However, this boast came with a cost. The second and third generations of the family began to show less interest in business and more in maintaining a high social status, which led to unrestrained consumption of food. accumulated fortune.

Drifting Business and the Dispersion of Fortune

As time passed, a lack of interest in business and prudent investments began to erode the Vanderbilt family's financial foundation. The heirs spent more than they invested, and the luck which once seemed inexhaustible began to empty. At a family gathering in 1973, there was not a single millionaire among the 120 Vanderbilts present.

The End of an Era and the Permanent Legacy

Despite financial decline, the Vanderbilts' legacy remains through their philanthropic and cultural contributions. But many of their properties have been turned into museums or historic sites, preserving family history for future generations. Anderson Cooper, a descendant of the family, chose to follow his own path, becoming a renowned journalist without relying on his famous surname.

richest family in the world - fortune - vanderbilt family
photo/reproduction: marketrealist

Lessons from the Past

So the story of the Vanderbilts serves as a powerful reminder that even the greatest fortunes can be ephemeral. She highlights the importance of prudent wealth management and the need to balance splendor with sustainability. While the Vanderbilt family may no longer boast the wealth it once did, its story continues to fascinate and serve as a case study on the rise and fall of wealth in American society.

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Jose Silva Ramos
Jose Silva Ramos
03/05/2024 11:39

WE CAME NAKED INTO THE WORLD. AND WE WILL RETURN NAKED TO THE DUST. WE WILL NOT TAKE A GRAIN OF SAND WITH US

Roberta Souza

Petroleum Engineer, postgraduate in Commissioning of Industrial Units, specialist in Industrial Corrosion. Get in touch to suggest an agenda, advertise job vacancies or advertise on our portal. We do not receive resumes

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