John Jacob Astor (IV) was one of the richest men in the world when he boarded the RMS Titanic in 1912. He was a member of the Astor family, a real estate empire that was one of the wealthiest families in the United States. His grandfather, Jacob Astor, immigrated to the United States from Germany at the age of 21. He was a shrewd investor. Within four decades, he became the country’s first multi-millionaire. Astor (IV) himself became a prominent business figure and high society. His family’s wealth and financial empire expanded through shrewd investments in the rapidly growing real estate market in New York City. However, Astor IV is much remembered for his tragic death on the Titanic. He was 47 years old at the time of his death and as the head of the Astor family, his personal fortune was estimated at 80 million dollar. That would be over 200 billion dollar in today’s dollars.
Astor IV grew up in an environment of luxury and privilege. His childhood was filled with luxury, with the highest standards of comfort and cultural events around him. His father, William Backhouse Astor Jr. spent his time free and lived a luxurious life. He did not have the aggressive attitude of his father to increase the family’s wealth.
Despite growing up in privileged circumstances, Astor IV received a well-rounded education. He attended prestigious institutions such as St. Paul’s School in Concord, New Hampshire and Harvard University. However, Astor IV did not complete his education and after spending several years abroad returned to New York to join the family’s real estate business.
In 1881, Astor IV married Ava Shippen. They had a son, Vincent and a daughter, Ava Elia. However, their marriage faced various challenges and they divorced in 1909. Then, in 1911, Astor IV married a young woman named Madeleine Force. The marriage attracted widespread attention due to the age difference between the two. Astor was 47 years old at the time of the marriage. Maddison was only 18. Divorce and remarriage were rare at the time. The couple’s relationship was made a scandal. They faced public criticism and were forced to seek refuge abroad. After spending time in Europe and Egypt, they decided to return to the United States on the luxury liner RMS Titanic.
April 10, 1912. Astor and his pregnant wife Madeleine boarded the Titanic from Cherbourg. They were accompanied by their crew and Madeleine’s midwife. After only two days the start of the voyage, the Titanic struck an iceberg. Astor IV realized early on that the ship was sinking. He wrapped his wife in warm clothes and put her in a lifeboat. Madeleine was reluctant to leave him. Astor IV assured him that he would be safe and that they would be reunited in the morning. On 22 April another ship, the Mackay-Bennett, recovered his body. His identity was confirmed by the initials sewn on his jacket and the watch engraved with the name JJA. He was buried in a cemetery in New York.