His huge wealth was able to buy 11 Titanics, why did he give up his escape in the end?The true story of what happened on the Titanic is revealed!
Astor IV, one of the richest passengers on the Titanic that year, had the wealth to buy several Titanics. He stood on a lifeboat when the ship was wrecked, but backed down at the last minute and gave up the chance to escape to a woman. What's going on here?Let's unravel the mystery of the world's rare tycoon.
Astor IV, born in 1864 in Rhinebeck, New York, belonged to one of the richest families in the United States, the *** member of the Astor family. Although he was known as the "Fourth", his great-grandfather John Jacob Astor was once the richest man in the United States, with a fortune of $20 million, equivalent to more than $1,000 million today, and was proud of the list of the richest people in the United States at that time, second only to John Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and Cornelius Vanderbilt.
The argument that "no more than three generations of wealth" does not seem to hold true in the Astor family. No matter how much money they have, they have maintained excellent wealth management throughout their lives. Astor IV and his cousin William Waldorf Astoria Astor jointly created the world's top Waldorf Astoria Hotel, known as the "originator of luxury hotels". The brothers not only succeeded commercially, but also demonstrated a business eye for excellence in the construction of two luxury hotels.
Astor IV was not just a successful businessman, he was also a man of many talents. At the age of 21, he graduated from Harvard University and fought in the Spanish-American War, attaining the rank of colonel. In addition, he is an inventor and has been granted several patents, including bicycle brakes, turbine engines, and more. At the same time, he is also a famous writer who created the sci-fi ** "Journey to Other Stars".
Astor IV experienced two marriages in his lifetime. He married at the age of 27 and had a son and a daughter, and divorced his first wife 18 years later. In 1911, at the age of 47, he married 18-year-old Madeleine Firth. This remarriage attracted a lot of attention in society, however, Astor IV remained focused on love. To avoid social pressure, he took his new wife on his honeymoon to Europe and North Africa.
During the trip, Madeleine discovers that she is pregnant and wants to return to the United States to have a baby. So, Astor IV and his wife chose to return home on the Titanic. With first-class tickets, their family (including two servants, a full-time pregnant woman** and a pet dog named Katie) had a great time aboard the luxury Titanic.
The Titanic hit an iceberg on the night of April 14, 1912, and the hull was damaged. Although Astor IV did not hide the facts, he reassured his wife, saying that the damage to the hull was not serious, and told her not to be afraid. However, the ship still sank. Astor IV did not show panic and did not try to settle everything with money. He is soberly aware that money is not everything, especially in the disaster of the century.
When the lifeboat was ready to be launched, Astor IV did not use his identity to scramble for the escape. He told a wealthy man that it was still 700 nautical miles from the coast. Subsequently, he took his wife to the first-class hall and decided to rest for a while before the ship sank. In the hall, he said goodbye to another billionaire, Benjamin Guggenheim, wishing him a safe passage through the darkness.
The Titanic eventually sank, and Astor IV did not escape. His steadfastness and concern for his wife are still fresh in his memory. In the movie "Titanic", although the director's portrayal of Astor IV is somewhat exaggerated, real history shows that he showed a glorious side of perseverance and humanity in the face of disasters.
Reading the story of Astor IV on the Titanic is deeply shocking and thought-provoking. As one of the richest people in the world at that time, Astor IV's demeanor when the Titanic was sunk showed an extraordinary character and heart.
First of all, Astor IV's decision to abandon escape and give up life to a woman is admirable. In times of crisis, he did not get carried away by wealth and status, but showed a noble humanity. This spirit of self-sacrifice, in stark contrast to his status as a billionaire, is food for thought.
Secondly, Astor IV is also commendable for his calmness and steadfastness in the face of disaster. Instead of panicking, he comforted his wife with a manly gesture and gave a clear explanation of the Titanic's condition. This calmness and honesty with the facts shows him as a mature and rational individual.
In addition, the farewell scene of Astor IV and another billionaire, Benjamin Guggenheim, at the last moment of the ship's sinking, is even more touching. It is not a competition for money, but a tacit understanding and wish at a moment of life and death. This scene not only shows the value of life, but also expresses a deep understanding of friendship and humanity.
The life of Astor IV also makes people think deeply about the difference between the rich and the ordinary. He is not just a successful businessman, but a man of many talents and a passion for life. His life is not only defined by money, but is full of love and exploration in various fields such as technology, literature, and war. This comprehensive development has led to a deeper reflection on the definition of success.
Overall, the story of Astor IV allows people to see a real and vivid character in the historical event of the Titanic. The brilliance of humanity he showed in the face of life and death made people think deeply about the relationship between wealth and life. This story will forever remain in the memory of history, inspiring people to be rational and kind in the face of adversity, and to show the best side of human nature.
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