Philanthropist Brooke Astor has died.

[Midlodemocrat]

Source: CNN.com

Brooke Astor, the civic leader, philanthropist and high society fixture who gave away nearly $200 million to support New York City's great cultural institutions and a host of humbler projects, died Monday.

She was 105.

Astor, who recently was the center of a highly publicized legal dispute over her care, died of pneumonia at her suburban estate, family lawyer Kenneth Warner said.

Although a legendary figure in New York City and feted with a famous gala on her 100th birthday in March 2002, Astor was mostly interested in putting the fortune that husband Vincent Astor left to use helping others.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/13/astor.obit.ap/index.html

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She was an incredible friend to the arts. She also won the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Rest in Peace, Brooke.

[tandot]

1. "Money is like manure, it should be spread around,"

What a wonderful person she was. I can't believe your post has not received any replies or recommendations.

RIP, Brooke.

[madrchsod]

2. just heard about this on npr....

she must have been something...according to the report she saved many of the cultural institutions in new york city when new york city was in the doldrums. not many of her kind left....

[Shine]

3. She was a class act, all the way.

O8)

[Raine]

4. R-I-P Brooke

I wish there was more like you. O8)

[ThomCat]

5. The stories that were going around about her being

neglected were horrible. I hope she was well cared for. I hope she was comfortable. :(

Good-bye Ms. Astor.

[saracat]

6. What a wonderful women.Safe passage Brooke.You are an inspiration!

[Baby Snooks]

13. An apparently had the final word on Bush

And Astor, a firm Republican who counted the Reagans among her friends, had a standard response when President George W. Bush's name came up.

"She would roll her eyes from left to right without saying anything," Gregorian said.

http://www.latimes.com/news/obituaries/la-me-astor14aug14,1,2357326,full.story?coll=la-news-obituaries

[complain jane]

7. I just read about her on MSNBC.com

What a wonderful person it sounds like she was. Truly an inspiration and a role model.

I was pretty disappointed to find only a handful of replies to this thread.

I, too, hope she was well cared for and comfortable and lived out the end of her life in the dignity she deserved.

[smirkymonkey]

8. K&R!

There are some wealthy people who know how to spend their money properly. RIP, Brooke.

[roguevalley]

9. nice woman. vanity faire had a great article on her a while back.

[Karenina]

10. That article contained a marvelous picture

of her standing on a concrete pedestal with "Astor Place" inscribed on it in the snow. It was taken in January 1999 and has sat on my desk next to the computer for many years. She was a one-time event and dearly beloved by the arts community. May her transition be peaceful.

[leftynyc]

11. Rest in Peace Ms. Astor

She was an icon in New York and the city (as well as Westchester County where she lived) is a less bright place for today. She'll be greatly missed. I'm curious what kind of memorial will undoubtedly pop up on Astor Place.

[Ilsa]

12. Someone who loved the arts and wanted everyone to share

in them will have a lovely place in HEaven.

[eppur_se_muova]

14. Philanthropist = "lover of people"

If that is the only title you carry when you die, you have done well.