While the Vanderbilt name is synonymous with fame and fortune, not every member of this illustrious American family seeks the spotlight. Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski, despite his celebrity lineage, has largely stayed out of the public eye, quietly building his own life and career. Let’s take a closer look at the eldest child of artist and heiress Gloria Vanderbilt.
Who Is Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski?
Born on August 22, 1950, Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski is the first child of Gloria Vanderbilt and her second husband, the acclaimed conductor Leopold Stokowski. He was born into a world of privilege and creativity – his mother a famous heiress, artist and fashion designer; his father one of the most prominent orchestra conductors of the 20th century.
Growing up, young Leopold, known as “Stan,” had a front-row seat to the glamorous and sometimes turbulent lives of his parents. His mother Gloria was a socialite and fashion icon, constantly in the media spotlight. His father, 63 years Gloria’s senior, was a musical genius who had a huge influence on orchestral music. Stan and his brother Christopher, born two years later, split their time between their father’s homes in New York and London.
But despite his glitzy upbringing, Stan has always preferred a quieter, more low-key existence out of the limelight. After attending school in London as a child, he returned to the U.S. as a young man ready to forge his own path separate from the fame and fortune attached to the Vanderbilt name. He settled in New York and New England, where he still resides today at age 72.
Parentage: Leopold Stokowski & Gloria Vanderbilt
Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski’s unique name reflects the incredible fame and talent of both his parents. His father Leopold Stokowski was already a musical legend when he married Gloria Vanderbilt in 1945. The maestro was known for his long and influential tenure with the Philadelphia Orchestra, his musical innovations, his theatrical conducting style, and his appearances in Hollywood films like Disney’s Fantasia.
Gloria Vanderbilt was American royalty, the great-great-granddaughter of railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt. As a child, she was the subject of a sensational custody battle that dominated headlines. Gloria went on to become a successful artist, actress, and fashion designer, admired worldwide for her beauty and style. Her tumultuous personal life also kept her in the tabloids.
It was a May-December romance between the 20-year-old heiress and the 63-year-old conductor. The couple had two sons together, Leopold and Christopher, before divorcing in 1955 when Stan was just five years old. Despite the divorce and large age gap between his parents, Stan had close relationships with both his mother and father. The boys lived with Gloria but frequently spent time with their father in New York and London.
Career And Business Ventures
Considering his famous pedigree, Stan Stokowski could easily have ridden his parents’ coattails into a life in the public eye. But he chose a very different path, opting instead for a quiet career as a businessman and entrepreneur. Stokowski has been involved in the landscaping industry for many years, running his own businesses in New York and New England.
Few details are known about his ventures, as Stokowski prefers to fly under the radar, living a private life out of the media glare that always surrounded his celebrity parents and continues to follow his CNN anchor half-brother Anderson Cooper. But he seems to have found fulfillment in building his own success separate from his family name.
Stokowski’s choice to avoid trading on his famous name and lineage is admirable. It couldn’t have been easy growing up the child of a living legend like Leopold Stokowski and an American icon like Gloria Vanderbilt. But Stan has apparently always been his own man, content to make his own way in the world independent of his family’s fame and vast wealth.
Marriage To Emily J. Goldstein
One constant in Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski’s quiet life has been his marriage to Emily J. Goldstein. The couple tied the knot in 1981 and have been together ever since – over 40 years of wedded bliss. Emily, like Stan, appears to be a private person who shuns the spotlight. Little is known publicly about their enduring love story, as the couple chooses to keep their personal lives out of the headlines. But their long, stable union suggests a devoted partnership based on deep love and shared values. Together, they have raised a family and built a peaceful life in the New England countryside.
In a family known for its tumultuous relationships and dramatic personal lives, Leopold and Emily’s quiet, long-lasting marriage stands out as a rare constant. Their 40+ year bond is a testament to the strength of their connection. While his parents’ and brother’s romances have been fodder for the tabloids, Stan’s rock-solid marriage generates no gossip, which seems to suit this publicity-shy couple perfectly.
Children: Aurora And Abra
Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski and Emily J. Goldstein have two beloved daughters together: Aurora and Abra. Following in their parents’ footsteps, both daughters live low-profile lives out of the public eye. They appear to have had happy, stable upbringings thanks to their devoted parents. Eldest daughter Aurora arrived first, followed a few years later by her sister Abra. The girls undoubtedly brought immense joy to Leopold and Emily and only deepened their marital bond. Raising children together can be an incredible shared adventure that brings couples closer together.
While the Stokowski daughters have largely avoided the spotlight, their cousin Abra “Abby” Stokowski, Stan’s niece, has been more open with the media. In 2016, she spoke lovingly about spending time with Stan, Emily and her cousins at their quiet country home, highlighting the family’s down-to-earth lifestyle.
Growing up, Aurora and Abra seem to have had a much more “normal” childhood than their father Stan experienced with his jet-setting celebrity parents. Thanks to Leopold and Emily’s decision to raise their kids out of the limelight, these girls were able to grow up without the pressure and attention that comes with being a Vanderbilt heir.
Relationship With Half-Brother Anderson Cooper
In addition to his full brother Christopher Stokowski, Leopold also has two famous half-siblings: supermodel Gloria Laura Morgan Vanderbilt and journalist Anderson Cooper, from his mother Gloria Vanderbilt’s other marriages. His half-sister Gloria sadly passed away in 2019 at age 76. His half-brother Anderson Cooper has of course gone on to become a renowned CNN anchor and media personality.
Growing up, Leopold did not spend much time with his much-younger half-siblings, as they lived with their own fathers. Anderson was born in 1967, when Stan was already 17 years old. So the two did not have a typical brotherly relationship or shared childhood. However, they undoubtedly share a special connection through their iconic mother Gloria Vanderbilt. Both Leopold and Anderson were by Gloria’s side in her final days before her death from stomach cancer in 2019 at age 95.
And both brothers seem to share a desire to be judged on their own merits rather than their famous family names. While Anderson did follow a public career path in the media, he has worked hard to build his own journalistic reputation separate from his Vanderbilt lineage. Similarly, Leopold has chosen to make his own way in the business world rather than just being known as a Vanderbilt heir.
Legacy of Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski
At 72, Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski is writing his own legacy – one that prioritizes family, hard work, and staying true to himself. In an era of over-sharing and attention-seeking, Stan’s choice to live a quiet, authentic life on his own terms is refreshing. He could have easily coasted on his family name and wealth, but Stan opted to apply his talents in the business world and build his own success. He could have sought the spotlight like some of his other family members, but he chose a more private path focused on his wife and children.
Stokowski has no doubt faced many challenges and blessings being part of such an illustrious American family. He has experienced the pain of his parents’ divorce and his mother’s passing. But he has also known the joys of finding his own way, building a successful career, and raising a beautiful family with his beloved wife Emily.
While he may not be a household name like his parents or half-brother, Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski is leaving his own meaningful mark on the world. Not through fame or fortune, but through the quiet dignity of a life well-lived with purpose and authenticity. There is something inspiring about carving your own path and being content without public acclaim or attention.
As he enters his eighth decade, Stan Stokowski’s legacy is one of staying true to yourself, working hard, and cherishing what really matters in life: the love of family and friends. Not a bad lesson for us all.
Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski Net Worth
Many wonder about Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski’s net worth, considering he is the son of an heiress to one of America’s greatest family fortunes. When Gloria Vanderbilt passed away in 2019, the estimated value of her estate was surprisingly small for such a famous millionaire. According to probate documents, Gloria’s estate was worth $1.5 million at the time of her death. The bulk of that money was left to Leopold’s half-brother, Anderson Cooper. However, Stan did inherit Vanderbilt’s lavish Midtown Manhattan co-op apartment.
But the relatively small size of his inheritance does not mean Leopold Stokowski is hurting for money. Thanks to his successful career in landscaping and nursery businesses, he has likely amassed his own comfortable personal fortune over the decades. Various online sources estimate his net worth could be anywhere from $1 to $5 million.
Of course, Stokowski has never flaunted his wealth or publicly commented on his assets. For this humble businessman, a sprawling bank account has never seemed to be the priority. He measures his riches not in dollars, but in the love of his wife, daughters and extended family.
Conclusion
Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski may not be a famous name like his father Leopold Stokowski, mother Gloria Vanderbilt, or half-brother Anderson Cooper. But his life is an inspiring example of forging your own path, staying true to your values, and prioritizing what really matters.
Despite his famous pedigree and family fortune, Stan has always chosen to live life on his own terms. He built a successful career through his own efforts, not just relying on his family name. He found joy and fulfillment in his long marriage and role as a father, not the spotlight of celebrity. In many ways, Leopold Stokowski’s quiet integrity and authenticity make him a true role model. He proves that you don’t need fame or a huge inheritance to live a meaningful life; you just need to work hard, stay true to yourself, and cherish your loved ones.
As he enters his golden years, Stan can look back on a life well-lived. A loving 40+ year marriage, two beautiful daughters, a thriving career built from scratch, and the satisfaction of doing things his way. We should all be so lucky. So here’s to Leopold Stanislaus Stokowski: a man who embodies the values of family, hard work, humility and purpose. May his example inspire us all to follow our own unique paths and measure success by what truly matters.
