Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Brooke Astor's Son, Who Was Convicted Of Stealing Her Money, Dies At 90
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 1, 2014
Modified Dec 1, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Chung
Published Dec 1, 2014
Modified Dec 1, 2014
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Anthony Marshall, the decorated World War II veteran and the only child of philanthropist Brooke Astor, died today at age 90. His wife Charlene posted a paid obituary announcing, "A very great man has died today." Naturally, that did not mention how he was convicted of looting his mother's estate.
Marshall was found guilty of grand larceny in 2009, with the jury believing the prosecution's claim that he was trying to increase his wealth to meet wife's demand for more money. From the NY Times:
In a six-month trial that captivated New York with clashing accounts of tawdry greed and filial devotion, a parade of witnesses that included boldface names from the worlds of society, politics and finance as well as maids and nurses, took turns castigating and defending Mr. Marshall and the lawyer, Francis X. Morrissey Jr., who did estate planning for Mrs. Astor.
Concluding 12 days of deliberations on Oct. 8, 2009, a jury in State Supreme Court in Manhattan convicted Mr. Marshall on 14 of 16 counts, including first-degree grand larceny for giving himself a $1 million retroactive raise for managing his mother’s finances. Mr. Morrissey was found guilty of fraud and conspiracy and of forging Mrs. Astor’s signature on an amendment to her will.
The jury found that both men had taken advantage of Mrs. Astor’s failing mental health to gain control over her fortune by inducing her to change her will several years before she died in 2007 at age 105.
The faked will would have given Marshall most of Astor's $180 million estate, instead of numerous charities.
Marshall's own son Philip Marshall prompted the investigation into how Marshall was handling Astor's finances, when he contended that his grandmother was living in tattered nightgowns in a filthy, cold apartment. So the paid obituary in the NY Times notes, "Tony very much loved his three stepchildren, Arden, Inness and Robert and three step-grandchildren James, Lyon and Weston who showered him with love, affection and respect particularly his stepson Robert with whom he formed an everlasting and most loving bond."
There's no mention of Brooke Astor either. The Times' article about Marshall death is headlined, "Anthony D. Marshall, Son of Brooke Astor Convicted in Swindle, Dies at 90."
Marshall went to prison last year, but was released early because of his deteriorating health.
Tagged
Anthony Marshall
Brooke Astor
Charlene Marshall
grand larceny
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
NY Archdiocese will soon settle $800M clergy sexual abuse claims
The deal would compensate over 1,300 alleged victims and help the church avoid bankruptcy.
By
Arya Sundaram
Published Oct 24, 2026 at 6:31 p.m. ET
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
News
Chinatown residents file lawsuit against after-hours construction on new 'mega jail'
Residents cite sleep disruption and dust-induced illness from nearly ‘round the clock’ construction.
By
Arya Sundaram
Peepapalooza: NYC is heading to the Hudson Valley to watch the leaves
By
Elizabeth Shwe
and
Sean Carlson
NYPD: Officer shot, injured knife-wielding woman during ‘chaotic’ night at Queens home
By
Ryan Kost
3 slates vying to run Jersey City school board as city stares down major tax hikes
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .