Lady Astor, Nancy Witcher Astor (Viscountess Astor), was the first female Member of Parliament in the British House of Commons. She was raised in an upper-class atmosphere by ex-slave owners in Virginia. His inebriated army commander first marriage led her to the English countryside in quest of calm and direction. She became famed for her knowledge, humor, and charm among the aristocratic class. Her second marriage to the Viscount Astor allowed her to stand for Westminster Parliament. Despite her lack of political experience, elite upbringing, and strong Christian Science beliefs, she won the seat in 1919 thanks to her amazing work for soldiers during WWI and the money she could afford to spend on campaigning. Lady Astor used her newfound political power to pass the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons Under 18) Act, raising the drinking age from 14 to 18. Her problematic public image finally worked against her, as she was open about her anti-Semitism, Nazi sympathies, anti-Catholic sentiments, and disrespect for minorities.
Early Childhood of Nancy Astor
Nancy Astor was born to Chiswell Dabney Langhorne and Nancy Witcher Keene in Danville, Virginia. HER FATHER WAS AN AUCTIONEER AND A R
After a period of financial hardship, Astor’s family recovered and moved to an estate known as Mirador in Albemarle County, Virginia.
Astor and Irene attended a finishing school in New York. She married aged 18 but the marriage did not work out, forcing Astor to leave to England.
A Career of Nancy Astor
Astor sought solace in England in 1905, and became famed among the elites for her odd mix of wit and restraint. She remarried and moved to Buckinghamshire on the Thames.
She joined Milner’s Kindergarten, a small political party that favored English-speaking equality and the expansion of British imperialism. She also became a Christian Science devotee.
As a Christian Science practitioner, she volunteered to help those in need throughout WWI. Astor gained fame among troops for her new spiritual views and kindness.
Waldorf became a viscountess in 1919. She chose to run for her husband’s House of Commons seat. It was tough because Astor had no political experience.
Her upper-class background was used against her during the campaign. Her personality and service during WWI earned her a seat in the Westminster Parliament in 1919.
In the 1920s, Astor delivered powerful speeches and introduced the Intoxicating Liquor (Sale to Persons Under 18) Bill, which raised the drinking age from 14 to 18.
She campaigned to increase the number of female government servants and police officers, and she supported several charity causes. She was known for her advocacy of nursery schools.
In the 1930s, Astor’s popularity began to wane due to her son Bobbie’s gay arrest and her association with controversial writer George Bernard Shaw. She ignored her growing dissatisfaction.
Her stance on Nazism harmed her popularity. She was seen as a fascist sympathizer and an anti-Semite. Her husband and she backed the British appeasement policy.
Her husband warned her that if she ran for office again, the family would not support her, so she retired in 1945.
Grandiose of Nancy Astor
Lady Astor introduced many improvements as an MP. She introduced the Intoxicating Liquor Bill in 1920, raising the drinking age from 14 to 18.
Honors & Awards
In 1959, she was granted Plymouth’s Freedom.
Personal Legacy of Nancy Astor
The 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry captain, Robert Gould Shaw II, married Astor in 1897. Robert Gould Shaw III was born to a divorced couple.
In 1906, she remarried Waldorf Astor, 2nd Viscount Astor, an American politician and newspaper owner. Michael Langhorne and John Jacob Jacob were their five children.
On her deathbed, she said, “I’m glad I’m not like my mother.” Her ashes were placed at Cliveden’s Octagon Temple.
Trivia
Her latter years were lonely.After her death, Astor’s son Bobbie committed suicide, Jakie married a prominent Catholic woman against her wishes, and her other children grew distant from her.
During one of her US visits, she advised a group of African-American pupils to emulate her childhood black maids.
She publicly blamed her husband for her forced retirement.
In Rhodesia, she boasted to white minority authorities that she was a slave owner’s daughter.
After a quarrel over chocolates, Astor’s husband had a heart attack. Then their marriage cooled.
Estimated Net Worth
Nancy is one of the wealthiest and most popular politicians. Nancy Astor net worth is estimated at $1.5 Million by Wikipedia, Forbes, and Business Insider.