Dark Secrets: The Terrible Truth About Elder Abuse in the Family and How the Brooke Astor Story Can Help Our Own Communities Achieve Elder Justice

Dark Secrets: The Terrible Truth About Elder Abuse in the Family

Brooke Astor, wealthy New York philanthropist, writer, and socialite, was recognized for her generosity towards those less fortunate. Known as the “Aristocrat of the People,” she funded many worthy causes throughout her lifetime. While she spent most of the year working in New York, each summer she refueled at her beloved home in Northeast Harbor in Maine.

Brooke Astor is also known for something else, something far more sinister. In her later years, Mrs. Astor was abused—isolated, deprived, manipulated, and exploited—by her only child who gained control of millions of dollars that she had bequeathed to charities. It was her grandson, Philip Marshall, who, with the help of many concerned persons and law enforcement, saved his grandmother.

PHOTO CREDITS: Alec Marshall. Included here with permission.

The story was chronicled nationally by the press due to Mrs. Astor’s public profile, the nature of the allegations, and events culminating in a six-month criminal trial that resulted in the conviction of Mr. Marshall’s father along with one of Mrs. Astor's attorneys.

Now Mr. Marshall will share his story at this one-date only event in Bangor and we do hope you will join us to learn how the Brooke Astor story can help our own communities achieve elder justice.

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Please join AARP Maine in collaboration with Legal Services for Maine Elders (LSE) as we welcome Philip Marshall as keynote speaker to our public event on June 20^th. Philip C. Marshall now helps advance elder justice through advocacy, training, and by helping concerned persons act. He has testified before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and shared his story on every major network. He speaks openly about his experience, what truly happened behind the scenes, how each of us can play a role in exposing elder abuse, and how we can advance elder justice.

Following Mr. Marshall’s address, Maine Public’s award-winning journalist, Jennifer Rooks, will host a live radio broadcast of Maine Calling, taking questions from both the audience and listeners around the state.

This event is free.

We welcome you in person at the Gracie Theatre at Husson University or you may attend virtually over Zoom. However you choose to attend, registration is required.

Click here to register to attend at the Gracie Theatre. The Zoom link for virtual attendance is forthcoming. Please check back here or send us an email at me@aarp.org and we will send you the virtual link for registration once it is available.

A light lunch will be served to those joining us for the live event in Bangor. Please register promptly as in-person space is limited.


**PHOTO CREDITS: Alec Marshall. Included here with permission.