The Pittsburgh Press (August 7, 1941)
VANDERBILT SUED BY WIFE; HEIR TO FIGHT HER CHARGE
New York, Aug. 7 (UP) –
Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt, 28-year-old heir to the immense Vanderbilt fortune, has been sued for divorce by his wife who claims he misconducted himself with two young women.
The fact that the divorce was being sought in New York State, where the grounds are strict, and that papers had already been served was made known by Sol Rosenblatt, counsel for the young sportsman and racing official.
The news surprised society circles where it had been believed Mrs. Vanderbilt, the former Manuela (Molly) Hudson, would agree to sue in some state where divorce laws are not so rigid. The decision to prosecute the suit here means that intimate details may be revealed in court.
Mr. Vanderbilt, at Saratoga where his horses are racing, declined to comment, but Mr. Rosenblatt said the suit would be defended. He would not disclose the identities of the alleged correspondents although it was reported they were well-known young women.
Another society report that Mr. Rosenblatt would not conform or deny said that Mr. Vanderbilt had offered his wife a large financial settlement to sue elsewhere but that she had countered with an even larger sum – one in seven figures – which he refused to meet. The decision to file here is said to have followed.
The Vanderbilts have a daughter, Wendy, born March 10, 1939.