You Can't Take It With You: The Life and Afterlife of America's Greatest Fortunes

5. Am I My Brother's Keeper?

December 08, 2022 Eric Schoenberg Season 1 Episode 5
5. Am I My Brother's Keeper?
You Can't Take It With You: The Life and Afterlife of America's Greatest Fortunes
More Info
You Can't Take It With You: The Life and Afterlife of America's Greatest Fortunes
5. Am I My Brother's Keeper?
Dec 08, 2022 Season 1 Episode 5
Eric Schoenberg

Charles Tiffany was so brilliant at marketing luxury to the newly minted millionaires of the gilded age that he left $12 million to his four children when he died in 1902.  Not trusting his younger son Burnett to manage his money wisely, he created a $1.5 million trust for him overseen by his older son Louis.  Indeed, Burney went bankrupt less than two years later... but only because Louis refused to pay off a $25,000  debt for furniture Burney had bought for his new wife.

Show Notes

Charles Tiffany was so brilliant at marketing luxury to the newly minted millionaires of the gilded age that he left $12 million to his four children when he died in 1902.  Not trusting his younger son Burnett to manage his money wisely, he created a $1.5 million trust for him overseen by his older son Louis.  Indeed, Burney went bankrupt less than two years later... but only because Louis refused to pay off a $25,000  debt for furniture Burney had bought for his new wife.