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Alva Erskine Belmont (née Smith; January 17, 1853 – January 26, 1933), known as Alva Vanderbilt from 1875 to 1896, was an American multi-millionaire socialite and women's suffrage activist. She was noted for her energy, intelligence, strong opinions, and willingness to challenge convention.
In the 1880s, Alva Vanderbilt succeeded in rising to the top of New York society; Arabella Huntington–one of the richest women in America–did not. Why?
Through Smith, Thornton was the uncle of Alva Vanderbilt Belmont. Thornton's last marriage was to Sarah Williams Gould, the daughter William Proctor Gould and Eliza Williams Chotard. She was the widow of Samuel Merritt Gowdey. Sarah Gould Thornton outlived her husband, dying in 1885. [1] Children by Mary Amelia Glover Mary Thornton
The Duchess of Marlborough, c. 1903, by Paul César Helleu Determined to secure the highest-ranking mate possible for her only daughter, a union that would emphasize the preeminence of the Vanderbilt family, Alva engineered a meeting between Consuelo and the indebted, titled Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, chatelain of Blenheim Palace.
Marble House was Alva Vanderbilt's 39th birthday present. She later became a leader in the women's suffrage movement. See inside Marble House, a 50-room Gilded Age mansion that a Vanderbilt heir ...
I've toured eight Gilded Age mansions in Newport, Rhode Island, and the Hudson Valley, New York. The mansions feature incredible displays of wealth such as walls covered in gold and silver.
Although originally the house of W.K. Vanderbilt, Alva Erskine Smith maintained ownership of the Petit Chateau after she divorced W.K. Vanderbilt in 1895. She would also keep the Marble House in Newport, and custody of the couples 3 children. Anne Harriman Vanderbilt never resided in 660 5th Avenue. Anne Harriman was born on February 17, 1861.
The Wilsons' residence at 3 East 64th Street.. In 1883, wealthy socialite Alva Vanderbilt, the then wife of railroad tycoon William Kissam Vanderbilt, planned an elaborate masquerade ball for 1,000 guests (reportedly costing $3 million) to celebrate the opening of her new home at 660 Fifth Avenue, known as the William K. Vanderbilt House.