began building palaces in new york and newport. they threw lavish parties to show off their wealth and make the vanderbilts the kings and queens of new york society. their children's lives were shaped, for better and often for worse, by the money and the privileges it afforded them. there was my grandfather reginald, who inherited millions of dollars and went through it as quickly as he drank himself to death. his brother, my great uncle alfred, who died on the "lus "lusitania," sunk by a german u-boat, he gallantly gave his life jacket to a fellow passenger and went down with the ship. his sister, gertrude, when lived what was at the time a scandalous secret life. and battled my grandmother for custody of my then 10-year-old mom in a trial that captivated the world and changed their lives forever. >> here's the first movie of little gloria herself, frightened by the curious crowd, she flees into her aunt's car.