Astor's wife, Madeleine, survived the shipwreck and gave birth to their son, naming him John Jacob. But most of his fortune went to his son from his first marriage, Vincent.

But after Astor drowned in the Titanic disaster, it was Madeleine who claimed a spot in Palm Beach, where she leased oceanfront estates, socialized and played golf and tennis. In 1916, Madeleine ...

John Jacob Astor IV and his wife, Madeleine Force Astor, with their Airedale terrier, Kitty.

In “The Second Mrs. Astor,” best-selling author Shana Abe draws an intimate portrait of John Jacob Astor IV as seen through the eyes of his second wife, Madeleine Force Astor.

Madeleine was five months’ pregnant at the time. She gave birth to a son on August 14, 1912, and called him John Jacob Astor V in memory of her husband and the boy’s father.

Henry Aldridge & Son Astor was on the Titanic with wife, Madeleine. The business tycoon, who was in his 40s, had married the 18-year-old on Sept. 11, 1911, according to the auction house.

John Jacob Astor IV's gold pocket watch that was recovered from his body after the Titanic sank has sold for a record total of nearly $1.5 million. (Henry Aldridge & Son LTD / Fox News)/New York ...

A gold watch worn by John Jacob Astor IV, a member of the wealthy Astor family and the richest man aboard the Titanic, sold for a record-breaking £1.175 million ($1.485 million) at auction on ...

Astor’s body was found not far from the sunken ship by CS MacKay-Bennett on April 22. His personal effects included gold cufflinks, a diamond ring, £225, $2,440, and, of course, the Waltham.

When Astor and Madeleine Talmage Force married in 1911, it became a scandal — at the time, divorce was rare and remarrying was even more so. Astor and his new wife decided to spend winter in Europe in ...

Astor was on the Titanic with wife, Madeleine. The business tycoon, who was in his 40s, had married the 18-year-old on Sept. 11, 1911, according to the auction house.