One of the most notable public examples of the impact of losing a matriarch is Caroline Schermerhorn Astor, often called “Mrs. Astor.” The Astor family first made their fortune through the North American fur trade. They turned their wealth into a sizable real estate empire in New York City by owning hotels, commercial properties, and large amounts of land in downtown Manhattan. But after William Backhouse Astor Jr, her husband, died in 1892, Mrs. Astor became the leader of the Astor family; she dominated New York high society and how the public perceived her family. But her death in 1908 marked a turning point, after which the family experienced a long period of division, internal conflicts, legal battles, property separations, and distinct lifestyles.

After a funeral, the impact of a loss is felt. It is the realization that the matriarch is gone. The person who held the family together, their values, their traditions, and the family harmony. Typically, she is the quiet strength and backbone of the family. However, when you have a family enterprise, not just the business is affected; family harmony is, too. What once may have been a unified front may buckle under pressure. Disagreements can erupt over how to handle property and business interests. One branch may want to sell; another insists on keeping it to continue the legacy. Without a shared governance system guiding stewardship, the conflict often ends in lawsuits and fractured relationships.