Money helps.

Gloria Vanderbilt's story is an intriguing one. I have heard about the child custody battle over the years but I didn't know about her marriages, many loves and acting career. I also didn't know about her talent as an artist. I actually thought Anderson Cooper was her only child.

After watching this movie, I came away with a different idea of her. But I also feel that her story is not so different from what many children go through, except that most children do not come from extremely rich families. She has a sadness about her although she doesn't wallow in self pity. Her life has had it's ups and downs but she has always moved forward.

She stated that parents in her economic status did not have much to do with their children. They were raised by nurses and nannies then sent off to boarding school. So I think even if her father had lived, her life would not have been that different. She would still have been raised by her nanny because her parents were apathetic and more interested in their social life.

But it occurred to me that at least she had money and lots of it to get through these situations. I do not believe money necessarily brings happiness but having money can help a person deal with problems. She was able to go off to Hollywood and do as she pleased at 17 because she had money, she was able to leave her first husband because she had money and she and her children were able to leave her second husband because she had money. Because of her money she had options that many women, especially, do not have.

I myself grew up without a father. My father only lived with us when I was a baby and I only saw him about four times in my life. I am 68 and he passed in November. I missed having a father in my life and think it had an impact on the person I am. But I like many others out there have survived.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that I believe she had a sad and lonely but very privileged life. She's had tragedies such as losing a son and husband and having an estranged son. So even though as a child she had no control over her life, when she was older she made decisions that were not always in her best interest. But again she had money to get out of situations and move on.

I am not trying to put her down I just feel that there are so many children that go through more horrendous circumstances and women who are stuck in situations that they cannot escape because of financial limitations.

It's weird that her cousin, another Vanderbilt, refers to the money as a curse. Oh well, we'll never know what that's like.