Brooke Astor: Reigning Socialite

Civic Leader, Philanthropist And Fixture Of New York High Society Dies At Age 105

(CBS)  Brooke Astor, the civic leader, philanthropist and fixture of New York high society who gave away millions to support the city's great cultural institutions, died Aug. 13, 2007, at the age of 105. She was profiled by 60 Minutes in 1987.

Click here to watch the 1987 broadcast interview.

Since the piece originally aired, Brooke Astor continued to reign as New York City’s preeminent socialite. After a few years of declining health, which brought attention to a family feud over her care and fortune, she died, having given over $200 million to charities over her lifetime.