Title: Svadba Gladys Vanderbiltovej s grófom Ladislavom Sečénim a jej odraz v dobovej tlači v Habsburskej monarchii a USA
(The Wedding of Gladys Vanderbilt to Count Ladislav Szechenyi and Its Reflection in the Contemporary Press in the Habsburg Monarchy in USA) – PDF
Abstract: At the beginning of the 20th century, two prominent families – the industrialist and merchant Vanderbilt family from the USA and the old noble Szechenyi family from Hungary – were united by marriage. In January 1908, a young American millionaire Gladys Vanderbilt was married in New York to Count Ladislav Szechenyi, a chamberlain and diplomat. The young couple subsequently settled in Hungary, where they traveled between their residences. They also spent time in the east of Slovakia, first in Strážske (Örmezö) and later in Remetské Hámre. The first two of their five daughters were born here. But today only few people here, in our country know who was Gladys Vanderbilt, Countess Szechenyi and that she contributed significantly to the development of the eastern Slovakia region. To date, there has been no research that has charted not only the beginning of their relationship, but also the years they spent in our area. And since there is no literature on the subject, I decided to do an initial detailed research of the contemporary press published in the Habsburg Monarchy and in the USA. The newspaper not only reported in detail on the young couple’s acquaintance, but also followed the announcement of their engagement, their marriage, their move to Europe, and finally their greeting in Strážske. Particularly interesting is the view of the newspapers in mid-October 1907, when tabloid articles were published about a „degenerate Hungarian count“ who only cares about the property of his bride, or about a dollar American princess who might not be accepted by the aristocracy in Austria-Hungary.
Author: RISTOVSKÁ, Radoslava
DOI: 10.17846/SHN.2024.28.1.137-154
Publication order reference: Trnavská univerzita v Trnave, Hornopotočná 23, 917 00 Trnava, Slovak Repulic, mail: radka.ristovska@gmail.com
Source: Studia Historica Nitriensia, year: 2024, vol.: 28, number: 1, pages: 137-154
Key words: Vanderbilt; Szechenyi; nobility; 20th Century; Slovakia; Habsburg Monarchy;
Language: SLOVAK
Funding: Vedecká grantová agentúra MŠVVaM, no. VEGA č. 1/0148/23: Novoveké hradné
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