Famed New York philanthropist Astor dies at 105

NEW YORK socialite Brooke Astor, a philanthropist whose generous gifts were a cornerstone for cultural institutions and charities across the city, died on Monday at the age of 105.

Ms Astor died of pneumonia at Holly Hill, her estate in Briarcliff Manor, New York, said Kenneth E Warner, lawyer for her son, Anthony Marshall.

Ms Astor was married to Vincent Astor and, when he died, inherited part of a fortune made in fur trading and real estate by John Jacob Astor in the late 1700s and early 1800s.