American Socialite, Heiress, Philanthropist, Known as Birdie the youngest daughter of Senator James Graham Fair & Theresa Rooney. She was born in San Francisco, California just after her father had struck it rich from mining the great Comstock Lode, her sister was Theresa Fair Oelrichs. In 1899 Birdie married William Kissam Vanderbilt II and moved into 666 Fifth Avenue, they had 3 children Muriel, Consuelo, & William III. Willie & Birdie separated around 1909, being a devout catholic she did not want a divorce, they stayed married and she spent considerable time in Paris, Tragedy struck in 1920 William K. Vanderbilt I died, leaving his son a significant inheritance and properties, around 1927 Willie came to her he wanted a divorce so that he could marry Rosamund Lancaster Warburton, Birdie finally gave in. Birdie never remarried and she kept the name Vanderbilt. She took her new freedom selling 666 Fifth Ave and starting building a new home at 60 East 93rd, and traveled to her homes in Jericho, Long Island, and her native California. Tragedy struck in 1933 when their son William III was driving up to New York from his father's house on Fisher Island in Florida and struck a parked truck in South Carolina. He died from his injuries. Birdie was devastated, her health began to decline and she died of pneumonia in 1935.
American Socialite, Heiress, Philanthropist, Known as Birdie the youngest daughter of Senator James Graham Fair & Theresa Rooney. She was born in San Francisco, California just after her father had struck it rich from mining the great Comstock Lode, her sister was Theresa Fair Oelrichs. In 1899 Birdie married William Kissam Vanderbilt II and moved into 666 Fifth Avenue, they had 3 children Muriel, Consuelo, & William III. Willie & Birdie separated around 1909, being a devout catholic she did not want a divorce, they stayed married and she spent considerable time in Paris, Tragedy struck in 1920 William K. Vanderbilt I died, leaving his son a significant inheritance and properties, around 1927 Willie came to her he wanted a divorce so that he could marry Rosamund Lancaster Warburton, Birdie finally gave in. Birdie never remarried and she kept the name Vanderbilt. She took her new freedom selling 666 Fifth Ave and starting building a new home at 60 East 93rd, and traveled to her homes in Jericho, Long Island, and her native California. Tragedy struck in 1933 when their son William III was driving up to New York from his father's house on Fisher Island in Florida and struck a parked truck in South Carolina. He died from his injuries. Birdie was devastated, her health began to decline and she died of pneumonia in 1935.
Family Members
See more Vanderbilt or Fair memorials in:
- Woodlawn Cemetery Vanderbilt or Fair
- Bronx Vanderbilt or Fair
- Bronx County Vanderbilt or Fair
- New York Vanderbilt or Fair
- USA Vanderbilt or Fair
- Find a Grave Vanderbilt or Fair
