Definition: The word "Gloria Vanderbilt" refers to a prominent American philanthropist, businesswoman, and socialite who lived from 1840 until 1912. She was the widow of Robert Barnett Vanderbilt, who served as governor of Tennessee and later president of the United States. Gloria Vanderbilt's family was one of the wealthiest families in America at the time, with a net worth estimated to be $16 million in 1880. She is best known for her philanthropic work, which included establishing several charities and foundations that aimed to improve educational opportunities for African Americans and women. One notable piece of Gloria Vanderbilt's legacy is her effort to provide funding for the first African American college in Tennessee, the University of Tennessee at Nashville, established in 1903. She also donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, including medical research and education programs. In addition to her philanthropic work, Gloria Vanderbilt was a prominent figure in Southern politics, serving as a senator from Tennessee and later serving as governor of Tennessee before she was elected the first woman to serve as president of the United States.

Gloria Vanderbilt