The Gilded Age x Dollar Princesses
Originally posted on my CMMEdia substack newsletter - join me!
Given I am such a history and media nerd, this recent increased interest in all things Gilded Age era thanks to the HBO hit, had me sharing some details slighting muted by the years. This is more of a film tourism post (one of my favorite subjects of late), but it is timely. With the popularity of the show, there has been attention on the people, society, style, business, architecture, and drama of the age. One character in particular (Gladys Russell) was inspired by historical figure, Consuelo Vanderbilt, and her famously disastrous “Dollar Princesses” or “Dollars for Dukes” marriage, and her vast wealth that restored England’s Blenheim Palace. So let’s review some details.
The Gilded Aged 18970-1900
There have been many movies set in various time periods in New York City (my former beloved home of many years). However, given the popularity of HBO’s “The Gilded Age”, it seemed a good time to revisit some of the many splendid building built by the tycoons of the era that shaped the city, whether demolished or still standing, as well as the concept of “dollar princess” explored through one if its characters that consequently shaped many great houses in the United Kingdom.
The Gilded Age in New York City (roughly 1870-1900) was a period of rapid industrialization and wealth accumulation, marked by opulent displays of wealth by tycoons like Rockefeller, Vanderbilt, and Carnegie, alongside stark social inequalities (all have fascinating biographies worth reading). This era saw the rise of grand mansions, including the famous “Millionaire’s Row” on Fifth Avenue, and significant advancements in architecture and infrastructure, driven by the wealth of industrialists and fueled by a flood of European immigrants. This is why you see shows like “The Gilded Age” or movies/books like Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence” of “House of Mirth” showing the extremely wealthy uptown in Manhattan, jockeying for social position and power, while the poor suffered in stark opposition in films like “Gangs of New York” downtown. Same time period with drastically differently experiences within New York City, across the United States, and even in the United Kingdom.
Dollar Princesses / Duke for Dollars
While the new money families were rising in New York, the aristocracy was going broke in the United Kingdom, so it seemed a natural fit to arrange transactional marriages whereby American social climbers could gain European titles, and estate owners abroad could get funds to help their assets. Between 1870 and 1914, there were a few hundred American heiresses who married into European (primarily British) aristocracy, earning them the moniker "dollar princesses". The television series “The Buccaneers” explores this, even “Downton Abbey” – another Julien Fellows production – touches upon this with Cora Crawley, as does the non-fiction book “To marry an English Lord”. It is widely acknowledged that Dollar Princesses’ substantial dowries significantly contributed to the preservation of numerous estates and cultural landmarks. Blenheim Palace, Chatsworth, and Inveraray are just a few examples of properties that benefited from this transatlantic influx of wealth.
Consuelo Vanderbilt (1877–1964)
Though the show has not outwardly stated the character of. “Gladys Russell” and her marriage to a Duke is based solely on Consuelo Vanderbilt, it very much follows her storyline (let’s hope then, her experience is not as terrible). Consuelo Vanderbilt's marriage to Charles Spencer-Churchill, the 9th Duke of Marlborough, was a quintessential example of the so-called "dollar princess" phenomenon. Forced into the union by her domineering mother, Alva Vanderbilt, Consuelo found little happiness in the match, which was emotionally cold and ultimately loveless, though she did produce two children (John, who became the 10th Duke of Marlborough, and Lord Ivor Spencer-Churchill). Despite the personal misery it brought her, the marriage served a strategic financial purpose: her immense dowry—estimated at $2.5 million (over $75 million today)—played a crucial role in rescuing the family's ancestral estate, Blenheim Palace, from financial ruin. In effect, her wealth preserved one of England’s most iconic stately homes, even as it cost her years of personal freedom and fulfillment. Both were in love with others: Consuelo was in love with an American, Winthrop Rutherfurd, and the Duke reportedly had affections elsewhere as well. After years of an emotionally distant union, they separated and eventually divorced in 1921. Remarkably for the era, the marriage was later annulled in 1926 by the Vatican—partly due to Consuelo's influence and changing views within the Catholic Church—clearing the way for her to marry for love. That same year, she wed Jacques Balsan, a wealthy and charming French aviator and industrialist. Their marriage was far more affectionate and supportive, and Consuelo finally found the personal happiness that had eluded her in her aristocratic alliance.
New York Architecture
While The Gilded Age strives for accuracy in its portrayal of New York’s high society of the 1880s, with stories and characters inspired by history, going so far as to include real historical figures, such as Mrs. Astor and Ward McCallister, while the Russell family are entirely fictional, there is a clear comparison between them and the Vanderbilt family, who became wealthy in the same time frame. The show blurs the lines between fact and fiction, as original characters interact with historical figures, but, in each case, The Gilded Age proves its commitment to realism by not rewriting the past. Meanwhile, several real New York City buildings and mansions served as inspiration for the sets and storylines in HBO’s “The Gilded Age.” These include the Vanderbilt mansions, the Henry Clay Frick House, and various brownstones around Gramercy Park and Union Square, which influenced the design of the Brook-Van Rhijn house. Additionally, Newport mansions like Marble House and Belcourt of Newport also provided inspiration for the show’s opulent interiors.
*There are several Gilded Age architecture tours available in New York City.
In more detail:
Vanderbilt Mansions:The Vanderbilt family’s lavish homes, particularly those on Fifth Avenue and in Newport, were major influences. The “Petit Château” at 660 Fifth Avenue, inspired by French Renaissance architecture, and the Triple Palace (640 Fifth Avenue and 2 West 52nd Street) with its Doric and Corinthian styles, served as models for the Russell family’s opulent lifestyle.
Henry Clay Frick House:The Frick Collection (formerly the Frick House) on Fifth Avenue, with its Italian Renaissance design, is another notable example.
Newport Mansions:The show’s production designer drew heavily from the Newport mansions, such as Marble House, for inspiration for the Russell’s mansion interiors and Bertha Russell’s bedroom, according to the Newport Mansions,. Belcourt of Newport, with its unique architectural style accommodating horses and automobiles, also makes an appearance.
Brownstones:The brownstones around Gramercy Park and Union Square, along with those in downtown Troy, were used as inspiration for the Brook-Van Rhijn house.
Other Notable Buildings:The Metropolitan Opera House, the Metropolitan Club, and the Waldorf Astoria also offer glimpses into the Gilded Age’s grandeur and are reflected in the show’s settings