THE RICHEST HEIRESS IN AMERICA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13996, 31 August 1907, Page 10

THE RICHEST HEIRESS IN AMERICA.

This month Miss Gladys Vanderbilt, youngest daughter of tho late Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt, comes of age. She will then inherit £2,500,000, thus becoming the richest eligible young woman in America. At the coming-of-age festivities the official distribution of the Vanderbilt fortune—one of the largest in tho world—is also to be made. Thus the occasion becomes unique. Miss Gladys Vanderbilt is the youngest of five direct heirs to the estate of the late Mr Vanderbilt. Her direct inheritance under her father's will was £1,500,000, which has increased since her father's death to £2.000,000. She also possesses a fourth interest in her mother's estate, valued at £2,000,000, making her total fortune, of which she, is absolute mistress, £2,500,000. Cornelius Vanderbilt, jun., is the eldest of the five heirs, but tho stern father never forgave his son's marriage to Miss, Wilson, and cut him off under his will with » pittance of £300,000. Tlie £1,200,000 given to Cornelius, shortly after the death of the senior Vanderbilt, by his brother Alfred (who got the lion's share), was understood at that time to be all lie was" to expect. Mrs Harry Payne \Whitney, who v/aa Gertrude Vanderbilt, and Reginald, C.. Vanderbilt, like Cornelius, jun., have but littlo coming to them' at this time, save the surplus accumulations from legacies to beneficiaries, which' were never paid hv the executors, or for other causes. Reginald will get approximately £500,000; his sister, Mrs Whitney, will receive much less than £200,000. Under the will the inheritance of tlies? children, which amounted to the same as that now to be received by Gladys, was paid when they became of legal age. The Vander'oilts are a happy, united family, and the father's quarrel with Cornelius has not impaired the fraternal, affection in any way. Cornelius, jun., showed himself a good business man, and his fortune to-day, by careful is estimated to total £3,000,000. ' Alfred 16 not 30 until next October, and is a very popular young man in American society, Mies Gladys is a fair young woman, with a girlish figure and good carriage. As America's, richest single girr she lias a responsible, position. Naturally, she has had many suitors, but, it is understood, is still heart free.