Gloria Vanderbilt was the next girl to marry Pat DiCicco, Thelma Todd's ex-husband.
Gloria Laura Vanderbilt (born February 20, 1924) is an American artist, author, actress, heiress, and socialite most noted as an early developer of designer blue jeans. She is a member of the prominent Vanderbilt family of New York and the mother of CNN's Anderson Cooper.
Gloria Vanderbilt Age 15
Vanderbilt was born in New York City, the only child of railroad heir Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt (1880–1925)[1][2] and his second wife, Gloria Morgan (1904–1965).[3][4] She was christened in the Episcopal church as Gloria Laura Vanderbilt (and after her father's death, confirmed in the Catholic Church, to which her mother belonged).[5] From her father's first marriage to Cathleen Neilson, she had a half-sister, Cathleen Vanderbilt (1904–1944).[6]
She became heiress to a half share in a five-million-dollar trust fund upon her father's death from cirrhosis when she was 18 months old.[7] The rights to control this trust fund while Vanderbilt was a minor belonged to her mother, who traveled to and from Paris for years, taking her daughter with her. They were accompanied by a beloved nanny, whom young Gloria had named "Dodo", who would play a tumultuous part in the child's life,[8] and her mother's identical twin sister, Thelma, who was the mistress of The Prince of Wales during this time.[9] As a result of frequent spending, her mother's use of finances was scrutinized by the child Vanderbilt's paternal aunt Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. Whitney, a sculptor and philanthropist, wanted custody of the young heiress and soon a famous custody trial became the lead story of 1934.[10][11] The trial was so scandalous that at times, the judge would make everyone leave the room so as to listen to what young Vanderbilt had to say without anyone influencing her. Some people heard weeping and wailing inside the court room. Testimony was heard depicting the mother as an unfit parent; Vanderbilt's mother lost the battle and Vanderbilt became the ward of her aunt Gertrude.[9]
Gloria Vanderbilt at age eight with her mother.
Litigation continued, however. Vanderbilt's mother was forced to live on a drastically reduced portion of her daughter's trust, which was worth more than $4 million dollars at the end of 1937.[12] Visitation was also closely watched to ensure that Vanderbilt's mother did not exert any undue influence upon her daughter with her supposedly "raucous" lifestyle. Vanderbilt was raised amidst luxury at her aunt Gertrude's mansion in Old Westbury, Long Island, surrounded by cousins her age who lived in houses circling the vast estate, and in New York City.
The story of the trial was told in a 1982 miniseries for NBC Little Gloria... Happy at Last, which was nominated for six Emmys and a Golden Globe.
Vanderbilt attended the Greenvale School in Long Island, Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut and then the Wheeler School[13][14] in Providence, Rhode Island, as well as the Art Students League in New York City, developing the artistic talent for which she would become increasingly known in her career. When Vanderbilt came of age and took control of her trust fund, she cut her mother off entirely,[15] though she supported her in later years.[16] Her mother lived for many years with her sister, Thelma, Lady Furness, in Beverly Hills and died there in 1965.
During the 1970s, she ventured into the fashion business, first with Glentex, licensing her name for a line of scarves. In 1976, Indian designer Mohan Murjani's Murjani Corporation, proposed launching a line of designer jeans carrying Vanderbilt's name embossed in script on the back pocket, as well as her swan logo. Her jeans were more tightly fitted than the other jeans of that time. The logo eventually appeared on dresses and perfumes as well. Along with her jeans, Vanderbilt also launched a line of blouses, sheets, shoes, leather goods, liqueurs, and accessories. Jones Apparel Group acquired the rights to Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in 2002. Vanderbilt was one of the first designers to make public appearances, which was a difficult thing for her because of her shyness.
In 1978, Gloria Vanderbilt sold the rights to her name to the Murjani Group. She then launched her own company, "GV Ltd.," on 7th Avenue in New York.
In the period from 1982 to 2002 L'Oreal launched eight fragrances under the brand name Gloria Vanderbilt.[17]
In the 1980s, Vanderbilt accused her former partners in GV Ltd. and her lawyer of fraud. After a lengthy trial (during which time the lawyer died) Vanderbilt won and was awarded nearly $1.7 million, but the money was never recovered, though she was also awarded $300,000 by the New York Bar Association from its Victims of Fraud fund. Vanderbilt owed millions in back taxes—the lawyer had never paid the IRS—and she was forced to sell her Southampton and New York City homes.
In 2001, Vanderbilt opened her first art exhibition, "Dream Boxes," at the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester. A critical success, she launched another exhibition of 35 paintings at the Arts Center in 2007. Two years later, she returned to the Arts Center as a panelist at its Annual Fall Show Exhibition, signing copies of her latest novel, "Obsession: An Erotic Tale."
Vanderbilt is the author of four memoirs and three novels, and is a regular contributor to The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Elle.[18] Most recently, Vanderbilt has been the subject of a new book chronicling her life, entitled The World of Gloria Vanderbilt,[19] written by Wendy Goodman, New York (magazine)'s design editor. The book was published in November 2010 by Abrams and features many previously unreleased photographs. Vanderbilt also has a website featuring her artwork.
Her second marriage, to conductor Leopold Stokowski in April 1945, produced two sons, Leopold Stanislaus "Stan" Stokowski, born August 22, 1950 and Christopher Stokowski, born January 31, 1952; they divorced in October 1955.
On August 28, 1956, she married director Sidney Lumet; they divorced in August 1963.
She married her fourth husband, author Wyatt Emory Cooper on December 24, 1963. They had two sons: Carter Vanderbilt Cooper (January 27, 1965 – July 22, 1988) and CNN news anchor Anderson Hays Cooper (born June 3, 1967). Wyatt Cooper died in 1978 during open heart surgery in New York City. Carter Cooper committed suicide at the age of 23 by jumping from the family's 14th floor apartment as his mother tried in vain to stop him. Vanderbilt believed that it was caused by a psychotic episode induced by an allergy to the anti-asthma medical prescription drug Proventil.
She has three grandchildren by her eldest son, Stan: Aurora, born in March 1983 and Abra, born in February 1985, both to author Ivy Strick, and Myles, born in 1998 to artist Emily Goldstein.[22]
She maintained a romantic relationship with photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks for many years until his death in 2006.[23]
Vanderbilt is very close friends with comedienne Kathy Griffin, and while appearing as a guest on her son Anderson Cooper's talk show, Anderson on September 19, 2011, referred to Griffin as her "fantasy daughter." Kathy refers to Gloria as "Glo", as did her third husband, Lumet.
Gloria Vanderbilt
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Gloria Vanderbilt | |
|---|---|
 Gloria Vanderbilt in 1958 (age 34). Photo by Carl Van Vechten. | |
| Born | Gloria Laura Vanderbilt February 20, 1924 New York City |
| Other names | Gloria Vanderbilt-DiCicco-Stokowski-Lumet-Cooper, named by Truman Capote in Answered Prayers |
| Occupation | American artist, actress, fashion designer, socialite |
| Known for | Member of the Vanderbilt dynasty, custody battle, fashion design, mother of CNN anchor Anderson Cooper |
Early life
She became heiress to a half share in a five-million-dollar trust fund upon her father's death from cirrhosis when she was 18 months old.[7] The rights to control this trust fund while Vanderbilt was a minor belonged to her mother, who traveled to and from Paris for years, taking her daughter with her. They were accompanied by a beloved nanny, whom young Gloria had named "Dodo", who would play a tumultuous part in the child's life,[8] and her mother's identical twin sister, Thelma, who was the mistress of The Prince of Wales during this time.[9] As a result of frequent spending, her mother's use of finances was scrutinized by the child Vanderbilt's paternal aunt Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney. Whitney, a sculptor and philanthropist, wanted custody of the young heiress and soon a famous custody trial became the lead story of 1934.[10][11] The trial was so scandalous that at times, the judge would make everyone leave the room so as to listen to what young Vanderbilt had to say without anyone influencing her. Some people heard weeping and wailing inside the court room. Testimony was heard depicting the mother as an unfit parent; Vanderbilt's mother lost the battle and Vanderbilt became the ward of her aunt Gertrude.[9]
The story of the trial was told in a 1982 miniseries for NBC Little Gloria... Happy at Last, which was nominated for six Emmys and a Golden Globe.
Vanderbilt attended the Greenvale School in Long Island, Miss Porter's School in Farmington, Connecticut and then the Wheeler School[13][14] in Providence, Rhode Island, as well as the Art Students League in New York City, developing the artistic talent for which she would become increasingly known in her career. When Vanderbilt came of age and took control of her trust fund, she cut her mother off entirely,[15] though she supported her in later years.[16] Her mother lived for many years with her sister, Thelma, Lady Furness, in Beverly Hills and died there in 1965.
Professional career
Vanderbilt studied acting at the Neighborhood Playhouse with teacher Sanford Meisner and studied art at the Art Students League of New York. She became known for her artwork, giving one-woman shows of oil paintings, watercolors, and pastels. This artwork was adapted and licensed, starting about 1968, by Hallmark Cards (a manufacturer of paper products) and by Bloomcraft (a textile manufacturer), and Vanderbilt began designing specifically for linens, china, glassware and flatware.During the 1970s, she ventured into the fashion business, first with Glentex, licensing her name for a line of scarves. In 1976, Indian designer Mohan Murjani's Murjani Corporation, proposed launching a line of designer jeans carrying Vanderbilt's name embossed in script on the back pocket, as well as her swan logo. Her jeans were more tightly fitted than the other jeans of that time. The logo eventually appeared on dresses and perfumes as well. Along with her jeans, Vanderbilt also launched a line of blouses, sheets, shoes, leather goods, liqueurs, and accessories. Jones Apparel Group acquired the rights to Gloria Vanderbilt jeans in 2002. Vanderbilt was one of the first designers to make public appearances, which was a difficult thing for her because of her shyness.
In 1978, Gloria Vanderbilt sold the rights to her name to the Murjani Group. She then launched her own company, "GV Ltd.," on 7th Avenue in New York.
In the period from 1982 to 2002 L'Oreal launched eight fragrances under the brand name Gloria Vanderbilt.[17]
In the 1980s, Vanderbilt accused her former partners in GV Ltd. and her lawyer of fraud. After a lengthy trial (during which time the lawyer died) Vanderbilt won and was awarded nearly $1.7 million, but the money was never recovered, though she was also awarded $300,000 by the New York Bar Association from its Victims of Fraud fund. Vanderbilt owed millions in back taxes—the lawyer had never paid the IRS—and she was forced to sell her Southampton and New York City homes.
In 2001, Vanderbilt opened her first art exhibition, "Dream Boxes," at the Southern Vermont Arts Center in Manchester. A critical success, she launched another exhibition of 35 paintings at the Arts Center in 2007. Two years later, she returned to the Arts Center as a panelist at its Annual Fall Show Exhibition, signing copies of her latest novel, "Obsession: An Erotic Tale."
Vanderbilt is the author of four memoirs and three novels, and is a regular contributor to The New York Times, Vanity Fair, and Elle.[18] Most recently, Vanderbilt has been the subject of a new book chronicling her life, entitled The World of Gloria Vanderbilt,[19] written by Wendy Goodman, New York (magazine)'s design editor. The book was published in November 2010 by Abrams and features many previously unreleased photographs. Vanderbilt also has a website featuring her artwork.
Personal life
At 17 years old, Vanderbilt went to Hollywood where she married agent Pasquale ("Pat") DiCicco in 1941;[20] they divorced in 1945.[21]Her second marriage, to conductor Leopold Stokowski in April 1945, produced two sons, Leopold Stanislaus "Stan" Stokowski, born August 22, 1950 and Christopher Stokowski, born January 31, 1952; they divorced in October 1955.
On August 28, 1956, she married director Sidney Lumet; they divorced in August 1963.
She married her fourth husband, author Wyatt Emory Cooper on December 24, 1963. They had two sons: Carter Vanderbilt Cooper (January 27, 1965 – July 22, 1988) and CNN news anchor Anderson Hays Cooper (born June 3, 1967). Wyatt Cooper died in 1978 during open heart surgery in New York City. Carter Cooper committed suicide at the age of 23 by jumping from the family's 14th floor apartment as his mother tried in vain to stop him. Vanderbilt believed that it was caused by a psychotic episode induced by an allergy to the anti-asthma medical prescription drug Proventil.
She has three grandchildren by her eldest son, Stan: Aurora, born in March 1983 and Abra, born in February 1985, both to author Ivy Strick, and Myles, born in 1998 to artist Emily Goldstein.[22]
She maintained a romantic relationship with photographer and filmmaker Gordon Parks for many years until his death in 2006.[23]
Vanderbilt is very close friends with comedienne Kathy Griffin, and while appearing as a guest on her son Anderson Cooper's talk show, Anderson on September 19, 2011, referred to Griffin as her "fantasy daughter." Kathy refers to Gloria as "Glo", as did her third husband, Lumet.
Works
Memoirs:- Once Upon a Time: A True Story[24]
- Black Knight, White Knight[25]
- A Mother's Story[26]
- It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir[27]
Sources
- Trio: Oona Chaplin, Carol Matthau, Gloria Vanderbilt: Portrait of an Intimate Friendship by Aram Saroyan
- Little Gloria... Happy at Last by Barbara Goldsmith
- That Vanderbilt Woman by Philip Van Rensselaer
- Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt with Palma Wayne
- Without Prejudice by E.P. Dutton (1936)
References
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria. "2". A mother's story (first edition ed.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf. pp. 5. ISBN 0-679-45052-1.
- ^ "Vanderbilt Dead After Hemorrhage Last Night". The Evening Independent. September 4, 1925. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=BeBPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=xFQDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6411,4674316&dq=gloria+morgan+vanderbilt&hl=en. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria. "3". A mother's story (first edition ed.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf. pp. 7. ISBN 0-679-45052-1.
- ^ "Reginald C. Vanderbilt and Gloria Morgan To Wed Tomorrow". Providence News. March 5, 1923. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=YNxgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8GMNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4123,2380685&dq=gloria+morgan+vanderbilt&hl=en. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ "Reggie was anxious to have his child baptized a Protestant. [His elder daughter] Cathleen had been christened in the Catholic faith; he wanted this baby christened in his own, and I consented. This ceremony was performed by Bishop Herbert Shipman in our large, formal, seldom-used drawing room. ... She was named Gloria after myself and Laura after my mother. ... James Deering was the baby's godfather and Gertrude Whitney was made her godmother ...." Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, with Palma Wayne, Without Prejudice (E P Dutton, 1936), page 118.
- ^ "Reginald Vanderbilt Dies Suddenly Today". The Meridien Daily Journal. September 4, 1925. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0qZIAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KQENAAAAIBAJ&pg=3863,182902&dq=reginald+vanderbilt&hl=en. Retrieved March 15, 2011.
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria. "2". A Mother's Story (first edition ed.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf, INC.. pp. 5. ISBN 0-679-45052-1.
- ^ "Mrs. Vanderbilt's Paris Life Exposed". Lewiston Daily Sun. October 2, 1934. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=CdEgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w2oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=4045,90630&dq=gloria+vanderbilt&hl=en. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
- ^ a b Goldsmith, Barbara, ed. (1982), Little Gloria...Happy at Last, Dell, ISBN 0-440-15120-1, http://books.google.com/books?id=eWHchDT559sC&q=little+gloria+happy+at+last&dq=little+gloria+happy+at+last, retrieved August 13, 2010
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria. ""The Scarlet Sting Of Scandal" (2)". It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. pp. 9. ISBN 0-7432-6480-0.
- ^ "Gloria Vanderbilt Is Ward Of Court". Lewiston Daily Sun. November 21, 1934. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=INEgAAAAIBAJ&sjid=w2oFAAAAIBAJ&pg=3135,4193225&dq=gloria+vanderbilt&hl=en. Retrieved August 13, 2010.
- ^ "To Gloria Vanderbilt at the Ritz". Life: pp. 17. 1938-01-17. http://books.google.com/books?id=wkoEAAAAMBAJ&lpg=PA2&dq=life%20magazine%20jan%2017%201938&pg=PA17#v=onepage&f=true. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
- ^ Maroni, Gloria (May 26, 1985). "SOCIAL SIDE Vanderbilt at home at Wheeler, her happy place". Providence Journal. http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/projo/access/603678751.html?dids=603678751:603678751&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=May+26,+1985&author=Gloria+Maroni&pub=The+Providence+Journal&desc=SOCIAL+SIDE+Vanderbilt+at+home+at+Wheeler,+her+happy+place&pqatl=google.
- ^ "Vanderbilt Chooses Work Instead of Being Idle Rich". Times Daily. October 1, 1979. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oBwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FMkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=1480,30985&dq=gloria+vanderbilt+wheeler-school+graduation&hl=en.
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria. ""Wedded Bliss..." (5)". It seemed important at the time: a romance memoir. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-7432-6480-0.
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria. It seemed important at the time: a romance memoir.
- ^ Gloria Vanderbilt Fragrances
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2] Amazon.com
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria (2004). ""The Great Thing" (4)". It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir. Rockefeller Center, 1230 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020: Simon & Schuster. pp. 31. ISBN 0-7432-6480-0.
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria. ""Happy Birthday" (6)". It Seemed Important at the Time: A Romance Memoir. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster. pp. 36. ISBN 0-7432-6480-0.
- ^ "Living with Loss" By Kim Hubbard and Anne Longley in New York, People, May 1996, accessdate=2008-12-15.
- ^ VanMeter, Jonathan (July 16, 2000). "Gloria Vanderbilt + Gordon Parks". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 18, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5xHo9iRzO. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
- ^ "Barnes & Noble website for the book". http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Once-upon-a-Time/Gloria-Vanderbilt/e/9780394541129/?itm=30. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria (1987). Black Khight, White Knight (first edition ed.). New York: Alfred A. Knopf. pp. Cover. ISBN 0-394-54412-9.
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria (1996). A Mother's Story. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. pp. Cover. ISBN 0-679-45052-1.
- ^ Vanderbilt, Gloria (2004). New York: Simon & Schuster. pp. Cover. ISBN 0-7432-6480-0.
- ^ [The Memory Book of Starr Faithfull "Barnes & Noble website"]. The Memory Book of Starr Faithfull. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ "Barnes & Noble website". http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Never-Say-Good-Bye/Gloria-Vanderbilt/e/9780394571553/?itm=14. Retrieved 2008-12-09.
- ^ Socialite, 85, shocks New York with sex novel The Guardian. April 12, 2009
External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Gloria Vanderbilt |
- Gloria Vanderbilt Fine Art
- Gloria Vanderbilt on Charlie Rose
- Gloria Vanderbilt at the Internet Movie Database
- Works by or about Gloria Vanderbilt in libraries (WorldCat catalog)
- Gloria Vanderbilt at the Notable Names Database
- Gloria Vanderbilt's Many Loves, CBS News July 31, 2005
- CBC's Q with Jian Ghomeshi July 30, 2012
* * *
This is a blog about Thelma Todd, so the part of Gloria Vanderbilt's life that we are concerned with here has to do with Pat DiCicco. It's not a pretty story, but then, it's about what could be expected under the circumstances.
In 1935, Gloria Vanderbilt was only a girl. It was at this time that her aunt became her legal guardian.This is a blog about Thelma Todd, so the part of Gloria Vanderbilt's life that we are concerned with here has to do with Pat DiCicco. It's not a pretty story, but then, it's about what could be expected under the circumstances.
At this time Pat DiCicco was still around Thelma Todd, and some people have thought he was trying to get her back. While still seeing other women. They didn't get back together again.
In 1941, Pat DiCicco was going around with Gloria Vanderbilt. He was usually around someone with money, so it should come as no surprise that he latched onto her.
In 1941, Pat DiCicco was going around with Gloria Vanderbilt. He was usually around someone with money, so it should come as no surprise that he latched onto her.
Then they're engaged.
And they get a marriage license.
Then they got married.
I seem to have lost the caption for this one, so you'll just have to take my word for it.
Bruce Cabot, left, was best man. He had costarred with Fay Wray in KING KONG in 1933.
They went on a honeymoon in Arizona, same as the last time DiCicco got married.
Then Pearl Harbor was bombed, the US was ushered into World War II, and Pat DiCicco went into the army.
The army didn't need him to find any more women, the existing supply being sufficient. And so DiCicco's talents were largely unappreciated by his superiors, who failed to make him an officer as a result. He eventually was discharged without having actually seeing active duty in the war. He returned to civilian life.
And they didn't live happily ever after.
This announcement of the divorce was on the back of a copy of the photo of when they got the wedding license. Evidently the same photo was run again for the later announcement.
Gloria Vanderbilt later wrote an autobiography titled BLACK KNIGHT, WHITE KNIGHT.
Pat DiCicco was the Black Knight of the story.
The villian of the piece.
Gloria Vanderbilt recounted of how unhappy her marriage with Pat DiCicco was, of how he beat her, how he spent all their money ( all she had on hand at the time - he couldn't get the entire fortune ) and had her hock her jewelry to get him some more. She said she was told that he had killed Thelma Todd. And that he tried to kill her. She also said that one time DiCicco started chasing movie producer Harry Cohn, yelling something about "Thelma". It appeared that DiCicco was still mad at Harry Cohn over Thelma Todd after the passage of several years.
But then, like Thelma Todd, Gloria Vanderbilt got a divorce.
And I guess after that she lived happily ever after.
Wedding of Gloria Vanderbilt and Pat DiCicco
AFGDX
Pat DiCicco At "Glamour Girls Of The Silver Screen":
Pat DiCicco Claims That He And Thelma Todd Would Be Reunited ( Pittsburgh Press ):
A
No comments:
Post a Comment