William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil

William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil
Born August 17, 1928
Nationality American
Education Harvard University
Occupation Businessman
Parent(s) John Francis Amherst Cecil
Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt

William Amherst Vanderbilt "Bill" Cecil (born August 17, 1928) is the operator of the Biltmore Estate through his company, The Biltmore Company.

Biography

Early life

He is the younger son of John Francis Amherst Cecil (1890–1954) and Cornelia Stuyvesant Vanderbilt (1900–1976). He is the great-grandson of William Henry Vanderbilt and a second cousin of Gloria Vanderbilt. On his father's side, he is a direct descendant of William Cecil, the chief adviser to Queen Elizabeth I in the 16th century, through his grandparents, Lord William Cecil and Mary Rothes Margaret Cecil, Baroness Amherst of Hackney.

He graduated from Harvard University.

Career

Upon the death of his mother, he inherited the Biltmore Estate once his elder brother, George Henry Vanderbilt Cecil, chose to take charge of the family dairy (known as Biltmore Farms) which was much more profitable at the time. He successfully transformed Biltmore into a popular North Carolina tourist attraction and built a profitable winery on the grounds.

Personal life

His wife Mary Lee Ryan is a first cousin of former First Lady Jacqueline Lee "Jackie" Bouvier, as their mothers Janet Norton Lee and Marion Merritt Lee were sisters.[1] His son Bill Jr. is president and CEO of the company today, while Bill Jr.'s wife, Virginia "Ginger" Cecil, oversees the equestrian center at the estate, and is also on the Biltmore board of directors.[2]

Ancestry

References

  1. ↑ NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK NOMINATION: BILTMORE ESTATE
  2. ↑ http://www.biltmore.com/visit/equestrian/staff.asp
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