Grandson Alleges Elder Abuse of Socialite Brooke Astor

NEW YORK – Philanthropist Brooke Astor, the 104-year-old society queen who gave away nearly $200 million to city charities, is now sleeping on a filthy couch in torn nightgowns while her son withholds money and proper medical care, her grandson charged in court papers.

The papers, filed last week, allege "elder abuse" and seek to remove Anthony Marshall from his position as his mother's legal guardian, the Daily News reported Wednesday.

Philip Marshall claims that his 82-year-old father, a sometime Broadway producer, pays himself $2.3 million yearly as Astor's caretaker and "has turned a blind eye to her, intentionally and repeatedly ignoring her health, safety, personal and household needs."

Among other things, the papers charge that the son cut off Astor's access to expensive medication, reduced her doctors' visits and ordered her staff not to take her to an emergency room or call 911 without contacting him first.

The papers also claim that Astor has been denied many of the staples of her high-society life. Her Estee Lauder face creams were replaced with petroleum jelly and her French chef was fired, they said. Nurses had to use their own money to purchase hair bonnets and socks for Astor, the papers say.

Reached by the Daily News, Anthony Marshall said: "You said it is shocking and I agree." But he said he wouldn't comment further because the matter "should be left to the court."

The court papers request that guardianship of Astor be transferred to Annette de la Renta, wife of designer Oscar de la Renta. Such famous names as Henry Kissinger and David Rockefeller, who both attended Astor's 100th birthday gala four years ago, have filed affidavits in support of the transfer.

Astor ran the Astor Foundation after the death of her third husband, Vincent Astor, in 1959. He was the great-great-grandson of patriarch John Jacob Astor, who made a fortune in fur trading and real estate and was the wealthiest man in America by 1840. Her husband's father, John Jacob Astor 4th, died in the sinking of the Titanic.

Brooke Astor gave millions to the New York Public Library, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Carnegie Hall and the Museum of Natural History. But she also funded smaller projects such as new windows for a nursing home and was noted for personally visiting the places she helped out.

Her efforts won her a Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 1998.

Anthony Marshall, her only child, is the son of her first husband. He and his wife have been involved in several Broadway productions including "I Am My Own Wife," the 2004 Tony winner for best play.