Curse of Riches: Inside the Weird World of the Family Who Owned New York City

by Claire Prentice (Author, Narrator), Hillary Huber (Narrator)

When journalist and author of The Lost Tribe of Coney Island Claire Prentice set eyes on a story about a millionaire dog one day, she never could have predicted the rabbit hole it would lead her down. After six years and countless hours spent combing through letters, diaries, telegrams, and legal testimony, Prentice has produced the definitive story of the Wendels, New York City’s richest, most elusive real estate family.

Curse of Riches offers a fascinating account of the “weird Wendels”, as they were dubbed by the media, and follows the lives of the seven siblings who took the Wendel name with them to their graves. There is Rebecca Wendel, the haughty elder sister who presumes the role of matriarch; Georgiana Wendel, the fiery, strong-willed feminist who eschews tradition and embraces modernity; poor, sickly Augusta Wendel, who spends most of her life in an insane asylum; John G. Wendel, the only male heir and family patriarch who keeps a firm grip over his sisters’ financial and romantic lives while he carries on an illicit affair with Martha Schroeder, a former Wendel servant; and Ella Wendel, the youngest Wendel, whose cherished pet dog, Tobey, makes all the major newspapers upon her death.

Rooted inside the once grand family mansion at 442 Fifth Avenue, the Wendels are by turns loving and supportive, cruel and vindictive. Ultimately, the siblings become stuck, trapped by their money, their secrets, and by each other. Only one of them ever marries—and the vestiges they leave behind are filled with secret affairs, lawsuits, lunacy hearings, and at least one illegitimate child. Brought to life with vivid and imaginative sound design, this Audible Original steeps listeners deep inside the bizarre world of the Wendels, the wealthiest, most eccentric family you’ve never heard of.

Genres: Audiobook, History, Nonfiction, Biography

10 pages, Audible Audio

First published December 8, 2022

Reviews

[The Real Beka Counts · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! I loved this book so much
It was addictingly good

[Molly Brais · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting story about a once famous family who caused their own demise.

[Courtney Denker · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a lover of history and specifically the Gilded Age, this narrative non-fiction was right up my alley about a family I hadn’t heard of before. The Wendel family owned a large portion of NYC real estate in the 1800s through the early 1900s, and yet, driven by greed and fear, this family and their massive realm of property and money disappeared in 1931. Author and researcher Claire Prentice digs deep to bring the truth to light when she discovered a trove of never-before seen letters and diaries. This book shares some of the family’s deepest secrets and scandals. Wonderfully written!

4.5

[Carmen Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't given a 5 ⭐ rating in a while. I listened to this on audible. I picked it because I love reading about New York history, gilded age, robber barons and family history. This book had it all. Plus it is full of facts that read like fiction. I had to continuously remind myself that this was not fiction. The author presented these facts in an interesting way. She presented them and let the facts tell the story. Beginning and ending with the authors own thoughts was an excellent way of getting me into the story and also helping me let it go. I loved the narration, the tempo, the presentation, and all the facts. Thank you for giving Martha a place in history.

[Sara]

Another day with sam curse
its old dark secret tals
audib hold our breath
lonly soul behind window
7 curse to breath mony and dark
air went by rabbit hole
just little tiny blosm there
at garden of rich grow 7 wildy flower
maybe nt love by there heart
thee nt be angle
dog walk around there star
graupe of secret hungry for more
no one can want jump thee clife
thee done and be dark tomp

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure if the title of this book is completely accurate. It was not riches that cursed the Wendels. The Wendel sisters were cursed by having a selfish and callous brother who was determined to share very little of the wealth and keep control at all costs. He ruined his sisters’s lives. We are never cursed by riches. Selfishness and greed ruin things for us as often as not.

This is a fascinating tale of a little-known family. I’d never heard of them and none of them even have a Wikipedia page, which is amazing considering that they were once the richest family in New York and owned much of the city. In the early 1930s, there was a sensational trial concerning who would inherit the family’s wealth. There is even a play and movie, Double Door, that portrays a fictionalized version of them.

This is a well-written and fascinating piece of narrative fiction, a sad and tragic tale taking us into the lives of a very strange ultra wealthy family.

I felt particularly sad for Georgie, who fought so hard for her independence against a brother who would go to any lengths to crush her spirit and maintain control. I don’t know if John Wendel was a sociopath or just a typical misogynist from that era, but, it’s unfortunate that he didn't die 20 years sooner than he did. His sisters would’ve still had time to salvage their lives and sanity.

This was worth my time.

[Stefanie Robinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wendel family is the focus of this book. This was an extremely wealthy real estate family from New York. The family amassed around 150 properties in Manhattan, often leaving them to fall into disrepair and causing them to be nicknamed the "Weird Wendels" in the papers. The patriarch of the family had six sisters, who he did not allow to marry to keep the fortune in the family. When the last family member died, the fortune and properties were dished out to multiple charities. This book was really interesting. I had never heard of this family before, and I do love a family dynasty moment. Each person in the family had their own unique story, which I enjoyed reading about.

[Jonathan Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a truly bizarre story and it's remarkable that it has been so little known given its prominent place in tabloid style newspapers going back to late 19th and early 20th centuries. Claire Prentice has done an amazing job pulling together a massive amount of research in newly discovered primary sources that bring this story to life. I hope Netflix / HBO / Amazon Prime / Hulu or whatever top notch streaming service turns this into a mini-series -- if they are paying attention, they should jump on it.

[Adam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boorish read it read more like a love novel then a historical account of the entire family & industry but in all fairness it's hard to account for things 100 years old with a family that was as reclusive as theirs. The Wendles where in the right place at the right time and where the real estate Big shots before the Trump's.


Jewels of insight

All worries dismiss knowing
I will see you again
Miguel is cheer personified
I felt so secure in her love

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of a prominent Gilded Age NYC Wendel family and their somewhat unknown story. They had the wealth of the Astor and Vanderbilt families, making their money largely in real estate, but whose path was different from the others - filled with scandal, insanity and isolation. Very well research. Really interesting story.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly entertaining and informative. I have family from wwaaayyy back that were maid servants, grounds keepers,etc inthis Era new york. I loved this little window into everyday life of what would have been .

[Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated by the Gilded Age time period. I had never heard of this family until now but I loved getting to know about them. Such a detailed, deep dive into the history of one of the richest families at the time.

[Anjali Belknap · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched story of a little known family from a fascinating era. This story shed so much light on the realities that families, and particularly women faced during this chapter of history. Definitely an enlightening read.

[Amie Moller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took a bit to get into it but once I did I spent large blocks of time listening and got through the book in just days. Such an interesting story of a family that isn’t known but was certainly interesting and such a huge part of New York properties.

[K Prior · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty fascinating historical look at a self contained family most of us had never heard of. Hard to understand why they did what they did, but always fun to learn about alternative aspects of history.

[Gia Pilgrim Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fascinating. Justice for Georgianna & Martha!

[Mary Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting unknown history of New York.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book could be a movie! What a drama!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Neither particularly weird or full of scandal. Just another example of fortune not bringing happiness. I would be very interested in finding out what the Koss family did with the fortune they stole.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and researched book describing the intriguing lives of the Wendell family- whom I had never heard of before this book.

[Jennifer Ferguson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book. Listened to it on audible

[Jo Bujarski · Rating 4 out of 5]

In real life, the bad guys don't always lose.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love a Gilded Age family saga. Having access to a rich trove of documents and a journalist as the author made this one more enjoyable and interesting than some others I’ve read.