The Astor Who Lost It All

A new memoir reveals the story behind a downwardly mobile branch of the famously wealthy family

"Astor" is a name that Americans associate with wealth and privilege—but not for Alexandra Aldrich. Even though Aldrich was a direct descendant of John Jacob Astor—he was her great-great-great-great-great-grandfather—and she grew up in the 43-room Hudson River manse Rokeby, she knew only poverty and chaos. By ... More

Mother Knows Best

Or does Machiavelli? A writer takes cues from the 16th-century Italian philosopher and exercises his power plays

In many ways, I'm one of those parents whom the Supernanny would want to smack. Except when it comes to my twin girls' safety, most everything with them is negotiable, which the spare-the-rod- spoil-the-child types say leads to manipulative, chaotic kids—the ... More

Liberace Extravaganza!

50 of the entertainer's most over-the-top outfits were recently documented. See our favorites—in all their bedazzled glory—here

There are a few stars who are associated with just one name. Madonna, is one. Cher, another. And there's only one Beyoncé, of course. Like these divas, Wladziu Valentino Liberace was mononymous... but only he wore more glitter (and sequins, fur, ... More

This Week’s Cultural Cliffsnotes

Your cheat sheet to the next seven days in the arts – highbrow and low (plus everything in between)

Each week, there's an avalanche of new albums, films, books, theater, and art to take in—from monumental new voices in culture to guilty pleasures worth indulging in. We're here to help narrow down what deserves your attention. Our picks for the week are below: The Album: Singer Charles Bradley's sophomore ... More

Liberace Extravaganza! – Gallery

50 of the entertainer's most over-the-top outfits were recently documented. See our favorites—in all their bedazzled glory—here

There are a few stars who are associated with just one name. Madonna, is one. Cher, another. And there's only one Beyoncé, of course. Like these divas, Wladziu Valentino Liberace was mononymous... but only he wore more glitter (and sequins, fur, ... More

The Brothers Emanuel

Did success for Rahm, Ari and Ezekiel come at their mother's expense?

While everyone admires the Pyramids of Egypt, the workers who toiled and bled to build them have never been properly celebrated. The same could be said of Marsha Smulevitz Emanuel, mother of brilliant physician/ethicist Ezekiel, Hollywood super-agent More

David Bowie Is …

See rare photographs of the cultural icon, now on exhibit in London

While pop princess like Madonna are most often referenced as chameleons for their ever-changing looks, there's no one who compares to David Bowie. From David Jones to a glam-rock Ziggy Stardust in the '60s to a modern-day, 66-year-old father and husband in New York City, the press shy ... More

David Bowie Is … – Gallery

See rare photographs of the cultural icon, now on exhibit in London

While pop princess like Madonna are most often referenced as chameleons for their ever-changing looks, there's no one who compares to David Bowie. From David Jones to a glam-rock Ziggy Stardust in the '60s to a modern-day, 66-year-old father and husband in New York City, the press shy ... More

Stolen Moments

French photographer Willy Ronis captured the everyday life of the working class throughout the 20th century – beautifully

Born in Paris at the foot of the Butte Montmartre in 1910 to a photographer (his father) and a piano teacher (his mother), Willy Ronis was faced with creativity from the beginning. A new book, Willy Ronis (Taschen) by Jean-Claude Gautrand, celebrates his evolution from a 10-year-old apprentice ... More

Stolen Moments – Gallery

French photographer Willy Ronis captured the everyday life of the working class throughout the 20th century – beautifully

Born in Paris at the foot of the Butte Montmartre in 1910 to a photographer (his father) and a piano teacher (his mother), Willy Ronis was faced with creativity from the beginning. A new book, Willy Ronis (Taschen) by Jean-Claude Gautrand, celebrates his evolution from a 10-year-old apprentice ... More

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