Brooke Astor Is Being Nickel And Dimed To Death

Brooke Astor’s 82-year-old son is depriving her of earthly pleasures, name-brand medicines and even her own pets, according to legal documents filed by Astor’s grandson:

Brooke Astor, the patron saint of philanthropy and society in New York, is being forced to live her remaining days in wretched, uncharitable conditions, according to court papers filed by her grandson.

Astor, now 104, is allegedly being kept inside her dilapidated Park Ave. duplex by her only child, Anthony Marshall — who controls her $45 million fortune, yet refuses to spend money for her care.

The grandson is seeking to transfer guardianship away from his father. The list of indignities is long:

• Although Astor had always used Estée Lauder cosmetics and face creams, her head maid, Mily Degernier, who has worked for Astor for 35 years, has instructed that a “cheaper brand” of makeup be used and that Vaseline be used instead of face cream.
• A prescription for Astor’s anemia, Procrit, which costs about $1,000 a month, was stopped for no medical reason.
• An enzyme supplement, CoQ10, to promote a healthy heart, and which may help in Astor’s battle against cancer, which costs $60 a bottle, was stopped at the instruction of Charlene Marshall, Anthony’s wife. She then told the aides to buy the medicine off the Internet, a diluted version that costs $26 for three bottles.
• When an aide’s request for two air purifiers — needed for the dust-filled apartment — was denied, they were bought by de la Renta.
• When a request for hair bonnets and no-skid socks was denied, Astor’s nurses bought them themselves.
• Astor apparently has not seen her beloved dogs, Boysie and Girlsie, in six months because they are kept locked in a pantry to keep them from damaging the apartment.
• Anthony Marshall, Astor’s son from her first marriage, repeatedly has refused to open up Holly Hill, her 75-acre estate in Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County, this year, even though Astor has said she wants to die there.
• While Astor has a nurse on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the staff has been cut back. She used to have two aides on duty at all times, according to an affidavit filed by one of her nurses, Minnette Christie.
• Astor’s physical therapy has been cut from three to two times a week over the protests of the therapist.
• While the apartment was once filled with art, figurines and fresh flowers, according to court papers, “which gave Mrs. Astor great pleasure,” some of the art and figurines have been removed. Floral arrangements have been replaced with one or two bouquets from the local Korean market.
• Although Astor was known for being always impeccably dressed, she is now reduced to wearing torn nightgowns and old clothes because her son won’t buy new ones.

I feel a two-hour episode of Law & Order coming on . . .