Gloria Vanderbilt's Husbands: A Look At Her Marriages & Family

08 May, 2025

Was Gloria Vanderbilt's life as charmed as it seemed? Far from a fairytale, the heiress lived a life marked by both unimaginable privilege and profound personal struggles, most notably, perhaps, in her complex relationships and multiple marriages. Her story, updated on March 8, 2019, and initially published on June 6, 2018, remains a fascinating exploration of a woman who navigated a world of wealth, fame, and artistic expression while grappling with the universal challenges of love, loss, and family.

Gloria Vanderbilt, who passed away on June 17, 2019, at the age of 95, led a life that was anything but ordinary. From her early days as the "poor little rich girl" at the center of a highly publicized custody battle to her later years as a celebrated artist and designer, Vanderbilt's journey was a tapestry woven with threads of triumph and tragedy. While her professional accomplishments and societal standing are well-documented, it is the intimate details of her personal life, particularly her marriages, that offer a deeper understanding of this enigmatic woman. She married four times and divorced three times. Her life experienced every bit of joyful moments.

Category	Information
Full Name	Gloria Laura Vanderbilt
Birth Date	February 20, 1924
Birth Place	Manhattan, New York City, New York, United States
Death Date	June 17, 2019
Age at Death	95
Father	Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt
Mother	María Mercedes Gloria Morgan
Education	Greenvale School, Wheeler School
Occupation	Artist, Designer, Actress, Writer, Socialite
Known For	Her art, fashion designs (especially jeans), tumultuous childhood custody battle, and being the mother of Anderson Cooper
Spouses	Pat DiCicco (m. 1941, div. 1945) Leopold Stokowski (m. 1945, div. 1955) Sidney Lumet (m. 1956, div. 1963) Wyatt Emory Cooper (m. 1963, d. 1978)
Children	Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski Christopher Stokowski Carter Vanderbilt Cooper (deceased) Anderson Hays Cooper
Reference	Gloria Vanderbilt Official Website

Gloria Vanderbilt's journey through matrimony began in 1941 with her marriage to Pat DiCicco, an agent for actors and a figure often associated with the mafia. At the tender age of 17, Vanderbilt embarked on a relationship that would quickly prove to be tumultuous. Pasquale "Pat" DiCicco, as he was formally known, was more than just a Hollywood agent; he was a man of considerable influence and, reportedly, a violent temper. Their union, which took place in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, was a stark contrast to the glamorous image Vanderbilt projected. The marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce in 1945. Vanderbilt later accused DiCicco of domestic violence, citing abusive behavior as the primary reason for the separation. This first marriage served as a rude awakening for the young heiress, exposing her to the darker side of love and power.

The dissolution of her marriage to DiCicco did not deter Vanderbilt from seeking love again. Almost immediately after her divorce, she found herself drawn to the renowned conductor Leopold Stokowski. Their connection was intense and passionate, fueled by a shared love of the arts and a desire for intellectual stimulation. Vanderbilt and Stokowski married shortly after her divorce from DiCicco. Stokowski, a towering figure in the world of classical music, was significantly older than Vanderbilt, but their age difference seemed inconsequential in the face of their mutual admiration and artistic sensibilities. However, this marriage, too, was destined to end. After a decade together, Vanderbilt and Stokowski divorced in 1955. The reasons for their separation were complex, but it is believed that differences in their lifestyles and artistic visions contributed to the breakdown of their relationship.

In 1956, Gloria Vanderbilt embarked on her third marriage, this time to the acclaimed film director Sidney Lumet. Known for his work on such iconic films as "12 Angry Men" and "Dog Day Afternoon," Lumet brought a different kind of energy and intellectual depth to Vanderbilt's life. Their marriage was seen as a meeting of two creative minds, a partnership built on mutual respect and artistic collaboration. However, despite their shared passions and intellectual compatibility, their marriage was not without its challenges. After seven years together, Vanderbilt and Lumet divorced in 1963. While the specific reasons for their separation remain private, it is believed that the pressures of their respective careers and the demands of their public lives contributed to the strain on their relationship.

It was in 1963 that Gloria Vanderbilt found what many believe to be her most enduring and fulfilling love with Wyatt Emory Cooper. A writer, editor, and actor, Cooper was a man of quiet strength and profound intellect. He was born on September 1, 1927, in Quitman, Mississippi, USA. Cooper's background was far removed from the world of wealth and privilege that Vanderbilt had always known, but it was precisely this difference that drew them together. He was known for "The Chapman Report" (1962), "Dorothy and Alan at Norma Place" (1982) and "The Glass House" (1972). Their marriage was a partnership of equals, a bond built on mutual respect, shared values, and a deep and abiding love. Together, they had two sons, Carter and Anderson, who became the center of their world. Sadly, their happiness was cut short by Cooper's untimely death in 1978. He died on January 5, 1978, in New York City, New York, USA. His passing left a void in Vanderbilt's life that she never fully filled.

Wyatt Cooper's influence on Gloria Vanderbilt extended far beyond their personal relationship. He encouraged her artistic pursuits, supported her creative endeavors, and helped her navigate the complexities of her public life. He worked as an editor for magazines in New York and was close to his roots and published a book named ‘Families: A Memoir and a Celebration.’ He was the fourth husband of the heiress and socialite Gloria Vanderbilt. It was during their marriage that Vanderbilt truly blossomed as an artist and designer, finding her own voice and establishing herself as a force to be reckoned with in the world of fashion and art. Their time together, though tragically short, was a period of immense growth and fulfillment for both of them.

The loss of Wyatt Cooper was a devastating blow to Gloria Vanderbilt. She had finally found a partner who understood her, supported her, and loved her unconditionally. His death left her heartbroken and adrift, but she found solace in her children and in her art. She continued to paint, to design, and to create, channeling her grief and her love into her work. As an actor, Cooper appeared in a few tv series. The couple had two sons, but the elder one, Carter, died at 23 years of age, a tragedy that further tested Vanderbilt's resilience. Her son Anderson Cooper said she died of cancer, surrounded by family and friends.

Gloria Vanderbilt's life was a testament to her resilience, her creativity, and her unwavering spirit. She weathered numerous storms, overcame countless obstacles, and emerged stronger and more determined each time. From her early days as the "poor little rich girl" to her later years as a celebrated artist and designer, she remained true to herself, never compromising her values or her artistic vision. Her marriages, though often tumultuous, were a reflection of her deep desire for love, connection, and companionship. Each relationship taught her something new about herself, about love, and about life. And in the end, it was her art, her children, and her unwavering spirit that sustained her through the darkest of times.

Born on February 20, 1924, in Manhattan, New York City, Gloria Laura Morgan Vanderbilt arrived into a world of immense wealth and privilege. She was the daughter of Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, a railroad empire heir, and his second wife, Gloria Morgan. Her early life was marked by luxury and extravagance, but also by the absence of a stable and nurturing home environment. Reginald Claypoole Vanderbilt, the most famous fourth generation Vanderbilt, remained in the news for about a decade after his death due to the much publicized court battle over his daughter Gloria's custody. Vanderbilt, who had squandered much of his fortune through gambling and drinking, had left a $2.5 million trust for his daughter Gloria.

The custody battle between Gloria's mother and her aunt, Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, became a media sensation, captivating the nation with its tales of wealth, scandal, and betrayal. Gloria Vanderbilt has been in the public eye since she was ten years old as the poor little rich girl who was the prize in a bitter custody battle between her widowed mother and her aunt. The aunt won by proving in court that Gloria's mother had dipped into her daughter's inheritance to finance her own lavish lifestyle. Little Gloria lived in Europe until she was 9 years old.

Gloria Morgan mentioned in the record of Reginold Vanderbilt and Gloria Morgan name Reginold Vanderbilt event type marriage event date 06 Mar 1923 event place Manhattan, New York, New York, United States gender male age 42 marital status divorced race white birth year (estimated) 1881 birthplace U.S.A. Father's name Cornelius Vanderbilt mother. Gloria’s mother “Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt” was the second wife of Reginald. Earlier, he wedded his first spouse “Cathleen Neilson” from 1903 to 1920. They also had a daughter together. As of education, the author attended Greenvale School and Wheeler School. Sources for Gloria Laura Morgan Vanderbilt: 1 Muncie Evening Press (Muncie, Indiana), 22 Feb 1924, p. 12, birth announcement for daughter of Reginald and Gloria Vanderbilt.

Beyond her marriages, Vanderbilt established herself as a talented artist and designer. Gloria malowała obrazy, projektowała pościel, porcelanę, sztućce. Sprzedawała prawa do oznaczania swoim imieniem i nazwiskiem okularów, perfum, ubrań; Tak powstały również dżinsy z napisem “gloria vanderbilt” na tylnej kieszeni, produkowane przez przedsiębiorstwo Murjani Corporation [6]. Additionally, Vanderbilt had a son Anderson Hays Cooper who currently works as an anchor on CNN television.

Vanderbilt divorced her husband in 1945. But even before their parting, Vanderbilt had found love again, with renowned conductor Leopold Stokowski. Vanderbilt and Stokowski married shortly. At age 17, Vanderbilt married Pat DiCicco, the press secretary of Howard Hughes, in December of 1941. According to the designer, Pat was very abusive in their relationship. Later, she filed for divorce and accused him of domestic violence in 1945.

Wyatt Cooper was Gloria’s last husband; They were married from 1963 until his death in 1988, and together they had two sons, one of whom is journalist Anderson Cooper. From most accounts, the years with Cooper were among her happiest. Over the course of his life, he has owned several landscaping businesses in the New York and New England areas and has a wife, Emily Goldstein, and two daughters, Abra and Aurora. Gloria Vanderbilt and Wyatt Cooper married on 1963 and divorce on 1978 due to Wyatt Cooper death. Gloria Vanderbilt married to Sidney Lumet on 1956 and divorce on 1963. Gloria Vanderbilt took vows with Leopold Stokowski on 1945 and divorce on 1955. She first tied the knot with husband Pat DiCicco (agent and producer) in 1941. However, their marriage ended pretty soon.

Furness and her sister Gloria wrote a memoir called Double Exposure (1959). [1] Furness died in New York City on 29 January 1970. In her bag was this miniature teddy bear that the Prince of Wales had given her, years before. New York (AP) — Gloria Vanderbilt, the intrepid heiress, artist and romantic who began her extraordinary life as the “poor little rich girl” of the Great Depression, survived family tragedy. Gloria Vanderbilt spouse | Gloria Vanderbilt children | Gloria Vanderbilt husbands. Vanderbilt was married four times, divorced three times, and gave birth to four sons in all. Her first marriage was in 1941 when she was aged 17.

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