Astor Legacy Secure Thanks to Matriarch’s Philanthropy

Despite a high-profile court battle, Brooke Astor’s personal style of philanthropy has ensured that the Astor name occupies a special place in New York’s social history, reports The New York Times. Mrs. Astor parlayed the $60-million her husband gave her for charity when he died in 1959 into almost $195-million in donations over the next 40 years.

Mrs. Astor, who is 104, is now the subject of an ugly family lawsuit. Her grandson filed court papers last week charging that his father, Anthony D. Marshall, is withholding money and proper medical care from Ms. Astor, an allegation that Mr. Marshall denies.