As The Money Burns

As The Money Burns

All they want is love. Everyone else wants their fortune. Based on historical research, As The Money Burns is a deep exploration into the lives of actual heirs and heiresses to some of America’s most famous fortunes and what happens when the Great Depression hits.A narrative podcast that explores history, psychology, and finance.

Episodes

November 1, 2025 37 mins

Divorces come in several stages – physical, financial, legal, and emotional. The latter might be the hardest if ever to achieve. As one reporter learns with a slap in the face.

November 1933, opera singer Mary McCormic and Prince Serge Mdivani are officially divorced. But when Mdivani biographer Grace Williams tries to expose the terms of the settlement, Grace faces Mary’s wrath.

Other people and subjects include:
Prince Alexis Mdivan...

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A fortune hunter returns with his heiress bride from their honeymoon to collect her inheritance. Has he finally secured his ultimate prize?

November 1933, as birthday girl Princes Barbara Hutton Mdivani turns 21, she seems to have it all a prince for a husband and a large fortune all her own and now is a fashion and pop culture icon. But will it be enough? What else could an heiress want?

Other people and subjects include:
Prince Alex...

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August 31, 2025 33 mins

When a prized debutante makes her debut, one heir is determined not to miss it.

November 1933, one of the most prized debutantes of this season Virginia Kent has her first coming out ball. To not miss out, John Jacob Astor VI, aka “Jakey,” charters a vehicle to bring a crew to the party. Will a love match be made?

Other people and subjects include:
Princess Barbara Hutton Mdivani, Doris Duke, James H.R. Cromwell aka “Jimmy,” Eva Stote...

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August 1, 2025 34 mins

It’s time for another Tuxedo Ball with plenty of beauties, so has this year’s most eligible bachelor finally found his future wife among them?

October 1933, the top 50 debutantes of this social season mix with the most eligible bachelors at the ultra exclusive Tuxedo Park’s Autumn Ball. Will “Jakey” John Jacob Astor VI, “Alfy” Alfred Vanderbilt, Jr., Atwater “Atty” Kent, Jr., Pierre Barbey, Jr., or David Rockefeller find their futur...

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June 30, 2025 28 mins

The freedom of travel and adventure is cut short when one heiress is spotted, and too much attention could threaten her safety.

October - November 1933, Doris Duke travels incognito to the Pacific Coast but eventually gets spotted everywhere she goes. Eventually, she ends up in Hollywood for a few special meetings.

Other people and subjects include:
Barbara Hutton, James H.R. Cromwell aka “Jimmy,” Walker Patterson Inman, Nanaline Du...

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June 1, 2025 27 mins

Marrying in haste is easy, but divorces can be oh so much trickier. Two complicated marriages finally dissolve in the courtroom.

October 1933, Mae Murray is on her third attempt to divorce Prince David Mdivani. Amidst their divorce proceedings, she has several other cases related to an unpaid debt and a personal injury claim. Meanwhile Hope Diamond owner Evalyn Walsh McLean requests an insanity hearing for her wayward spouse Edwa...

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April 30, 2025 20 mins

Another debutante season is beginning, and a new crop of beauties are already making a splash.

September – October 1933, Jakey Astor enjoys being the most eligible bachelor and is looking for a wife. Several debutantes attend early debut events before the official social season begins, while one lad turns into a professional party thrower to survive his economic downturn.

Other people and subjects include: Louise Van Alen, Vincent As...

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Fifth Year Anniversary recap and future storylines.

Hints and teasers of themes involving love and fortune. Series tagline: All they want is love. Everyone else wants their fortune.

Other people (*referenced not specifically mentioned) and subjects include: Barbara Hutton, Doris Duke, John Jacob Astor VI aka “Jakey,” Prince Alexis Mdivani, Frank Shields, Madeleine Talmage Force Astor Dick Fiermonte, Enzo Fiermonte, heirs, heiresses, ...

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March 31, 2025 29 mins

Some weddings might be grand, but nothing catches more attention than a good divorce scandal.

August – September 1933, the marriage of Prince Alexis Mdivani and heiress Barbara Hutton has caused a lot of press attention on the couple as well as those around them. His two older brothers, Prince Serge Mdivani and Prince David Mdivani are in the papers again for their divorces and issues around their oil company. While youngest brother...

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February 21, 2025 25 mins

Another day, another danger as an heiress finds herself in double trouble, but a minor medical emergency is nothing compared to the tax man.

September – October 1933, Doris Duke finds herself in the hospital only weeks before her tax case heads to the Supreme Court. In both instances, more attention is given to her vast fortune in the press.

Other people and subjects include: Nanaline Duke, James “Buck” Duke, Walker Inman, E.T. Stote...

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January 24, 2025 20 mins

Another heir, another birthday, 2 fortunes, a special gift, and by chance possibly someone to share it with?

September 1933, three new bachelor heirs are fresh on the market, or are they? Alfred “Alfy” Vanderbilt Jr. comes into his fortune but gets an even better gift from his mother. Alfy along with Jakey Astor and Wooly Donahue are more serious and not interested in being the typical playboy heirs, but questions remain as to who...

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December 20, 2024 24 mins

Fiery passion not only infects the young but the old as well, including one heir’s mother caught up in another scandalous affair.

September 1933, recently divorced Madeleine Talmage Force Astor Dick waits for her much younger lover Italian boxer Enzo Fiermonte to be divorced as well. They rush to get married only to have more complications in Bermuda, where more than a heart gets broken.

Other people and subjects include: John Jac...

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November 21, 2024 21 mins

Young love burns bright and impulsively as an heiress runs off to marry her prince, only to regret it days later.

August 1933, Janet Snowden finally meets her very own Prince Caravita and rushes into marriage. When days later she has a sudden change of heart, their story is all over the press, and her life gets into danger.

Other people and subjects include: Barbara Hutton, Prince Alexis Mdivani, Louise Van Alen, Doris Duke, Marjorie...

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October 31, 2024 21 mins

As Tennis Week ends, the real competition is over the three best finale parties, with one hostess playing with all her might.

August 1933, Jakey Astor and Doris Duke return to Newport for the end of Tennis Week with plenty of romantic and marital speculation. Henrietta Hartford hosts the biggest finale party with a special technological innovation.

Other people and subjects include: Nanaline Duke, Barbara Hutton, Daisy Van Alen, Jame...

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October 10, 2024 26 mins

A big birthday arrives with a large inheritance and thus the ability to finally control one’s life or so it seems.

August 1933, Jakey Astor finally turns 21 and comes into his fortune. Only other troubles complicate his rise into Society. Meanwhile several debutantes are lining up to be the future young Mrs. Astor.

Other people and subjects include: Doris Duke, Barbara Hutton, Prince Alexis Mdivani, Louise Van Alen, James HR Cromwell...

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September 22, 2024 32 mins

As tough times persist, several dangers lie ahead for dreams, fortunes, and more importantly life itself.

May – August 1933, many struggle as Prohibition and the Great Depression continues. Evalyn Walsh McLean attempts to sell the Hope Diamond and buy back the Washington Post. Doris Duke and other heiresses are under threat of kidnapping in Newport. Cobina Wright’s new attempt to rebuild her fortune comes with some shady business co...

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September 3, 2024 27 mins

While one honeymoon falls apart, another set of bachelors appear on the matrimonial market.

#BarbaraHutton, #PrinceMdivani, #honeymoon, #Stotesbury, #MarryingMdivanis, #politicalspeech, #Astor, #restoringthethrone

Barbara Hutton, Prince Mdivani, honeymoon, Stotesbury, Marrying Mdivanis, political speech, Astor, restoring the throne

June - July 1933, Barbara Hutton and Prince Alexis Mdivani continue on their honeymoon, while Woolworth ...

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August 1, 2024 31 mins

A large crowd gathers for a fairy tale royal wedding, but will the honeymoon have a happy ending? Part 2

June 1933, Barbara Hutton and Prince Alexis Mdivani have the second and grandest of their two wedding ceremonies in Paris. The elaborate and beautiful ceremony draws a large and excited crowd, followed by a reception then off to their honeymoon. Will Barbara finally have her happily ever after?

Other people and subjects include: D...

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July 30, 2024 27 mins

A royal wedding draws a large crowd, but could the honeymoon be over already?

June 1933, Barbara Hutton and Prince Alexis Mdivani have the first of their two wedding ceremonies in Paris. With all the press attention, the Prince’s royal title comes back into question, while his brothers Prince Serge Mdivani and Prince David Mdivani deal with divorce petitions.

Other people and subjects include: Franklyn Hutton, Irene Hutton, Louise Va...

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June 27, 2024 21 mins

It’s another season of international sports competition, so where has one tennis star disappeared to this time?

June 1933, Frank Shields loses at the French Championship then disappears only to be found later crossing the ocean. Meanwhile another sport takes notice with a superb knockout.

Other people and subjects include: Cobina Wright, Prince Serge Mdivani, Prince David Mdivani, Rebecca “Billie” Tenney Shields, Queen Mary of Englan...

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