Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski's Mom Left Almost All Her Inheritance to His Brother Anderson Cooper

May 2024 ยท 4 minute read

Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski is Anderson Cooper's brother, who barely inherited from their mother, Gloria Vanderbilt. Nevertheless, Leopold found success as a businessman and now happily lives with his family.

Born on August 22, 1950, Leopold Stanislaus "Stan" Stokowski is the brother of Anderson Cooper, son of the CNN anchor's mother, Gloria Vanderbilt, with Leopold Anthony Stokowski.

Anderson Cooper's brother, Stan, was birthed in New York during his parents' ten-year-long union. Although less famous in the entertainment industry than his brother, Stan has cemented his name in the business world.

Stan Stokowski during the "Nothing Left Unsaid" Premiere at Time Warner Center on April 4, 2016, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

A star in his own right, Stan became an international entrepreneurial icon in his native land and England. While he has all the means to live a comfortable and luxurious life, Stan did not get much of an inheritance from his mother.

Stan's Mom Gloria Was Married Four Times and Had Four Sons

Stan's mom gave him three other siblings from her four marriages. Her first marriage was to Pat DiCicco on December 28, 1941, but their short-lived marriage ended in 1945. The same year, Gloria walked down the aisle again and married Leopold Stokowski.

Together, they had Stan and his brother, Christopher. After ten years, Stan's parents divorced in 1955. Stan had a stepfather the year after, in August 1956, when Gloria married Sidney Lumet. Like her previous relationships, their union ended with divorce in 1963.

On December 24, 1963, Vanderbilt married Wyatt Cooper and had two children, Carter Cooper, and Anderson Cooper. Their relationship sadly ended when Wyatt died in 1978. Sadly, Carter followed his father after a decade and passed away on July 22, 1988. Anderson Cooper continues to mourn him years later.

Stan Stokowski and Emily Goldstein during the "The World Of Gloria Vanderbilt: Collages, Dream Boxes, And Recent Paintings" Exhibition Opening at 1stdibs Gallery on September 12, 2012, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Stan Stokowski's Relationship with Mom Remains Private

Although born to a famous family, Stan prefers to stay out of the spotlight. However, he maintained a close relationship with his mother and would appear alongside Gloria during some events.

Gloria's family was famous for their businesses, but she became an artist and designer in New York and Southampton. However, she carried the family name that remains recognized in their country.

Stan became a businessman, owning many New York and New England landscaping companies. Besides his career, Stan is also a husband to Emily Goldstein and a father to their two children, Aurora and Abra.

Sheila Nevins, Anderson Cooper, Stan Stokowski, Gloria Vanderbilt and Liz Garbus during the "Nothing Left Unsaid" New York premiere at Time Warner Center on April 4, 2016, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

Stan Stokowski Was Once Married

Before marrying Goldstein, Stan was wed to Ivy Strick, the daughter of Pentalic Corporation's president Louis Strick, and New York-based artist Racelle Strick. While born to a business-inclined family, Ivy's career was in the arts, as she worked as a writer.

Stan's former wife graduated from the Fieldston School in Riverdale and New York University. She was also educated at St. John's College in Annapolis and California College of Arts and Crafts in Berkeley.

After His Mom's Death, She Left Almost Everything to Stan's Brother

Stan's mother is the great-great-great-granddaughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt, the railroad tycoon. Their family's wealth stemmed from generations, but when Gloria died, she left nearly everything to Anderson Cooper, who avoids association with the family name.

Gloria Vanderbilt and Stan Stokowski during "The World of Gloria Vanderbilt: Collages, Dream Boxes, and Recent Paintings" Preview Party Gala Benefit on September 12, 2012, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

According to a legal document, the socialite's eldest son, Stan, will receive her Midtown pad at 30 Beekman Place. However, the rest of her properties were left to Anderson. While the estimated value Anderson received was not disclosed, it may come close to $200 million. Anderson said:

"I don't believe in inheriting money. I think it's an initiative sucker. I think it's a curse. [...] From the time I was growing up, if I felt like there was some pot of gold waiting for me, I don't know if I would have been so motivated."

Anderson Cooper does not believe in inheritance to this day. So when he became a father to Wyatt Morgan Cooper, named after his late grandfather, the journalist made sure not to leave an inheritance.

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