The Rainbow Comes and Goes by Anderson Cooper: Book Overview
Have you ever wondered what it's like to grow up in one of America's most famous families? How do you navigate life's challenges when your name is synonymous with wealth and privilege?
In The Rainbow Comes and Goes book, Anderson Cooper and his mother Gloria Vanderbilt share their intimate conversations about family, loss, and resilience. This memoir offers a candid look into the Vanderbilt legacy, exploring themes of identity, artistic pursuits, and the complexities of mother-son relationships.
Let's dive into the key insights from this touching and revealing book that bridges generations through honest dialogue.
Overview of The Rainbow Comes and Goes
The Rainbow Comes and Goes book offers an intimate exploration into the life of Gloria Vanderbilt and author Anderson Cooper. The narrative delves into the complexities of Vanderbilt's childhood, marked by a highly publicized custody battle and strained familial ties. It chronicles the profound impact of personal tragedies, including the untimely losses of her son and father, and her resilience in confronting adversity.
The book also examines Vanderbilt's artistic pursuits and entrepreneurial ventures, such as her renowned denim line. As she reflects on aging and mortality, she imparts wisdom about embracing life's fleeting moments and creating an enduring legacy through transparent communication with loved ones.
Family Background and Early Years
Gloria Vanderbilt's childhood was far from ordinary, marked by a highly publicized custody battle and a fractured family life that often seemed stranger than fiction. The death of her father, Reginald Vanderbilt, set off a chain of events that would shape her early years and beyond.
After Reginald's passing, a fierce battle for Gloria's guardianship erupted between her grandmother and aunt on one side, and her mother on the other. This legal dispute wasn't just about who would care for young Gloria - it was a struggle for control over her substantial inheritance. Gloria's aunt and grandmother ultimately won custody, raising her in a manner befitting the Vanderbilt legacy, largely separate from her mother's influence.
This tumultuous upbringing left Gloria feeling deeply disconnected from her roots. She was shuttled between various relatives and homes, creating a sense of instability that would follow her into adulthood. Despite the chaos, her mother and Aunt Thelma provided unwavering support during her European travels, offering a semblance of constancy in an otherwise unpredictable life.
A Strained Mother-daughter Relationship
Gloria's relationship with her mother, Gloria Morgan Vanderbilt, was fraught with tension and emotional distance. Their interactions were infrequent and superficial, a stark contrast to the close bond one might expect between mother and daughter. This estrangement was so profound that Gloria began to view her nurse, Domo, as her true maternal figure.
The custody battle had drawn clear lines in the family, with Gloria's mother on one side and her aunt and grandmother (whom she called "Dodo") on the other. Interestingly, young Gloria seemed to prefer living with her aunt, further straining her relationship with her mother.
As Gloria grew older, she made numerous attempts to repair the bond with her mother. However, the emotional chasm between them proved too wide to bridge. Their interactions remained surface-level, with Gloria unable to penetrate the emotional defenses built up over years of separation and misunderstanding.
Significant Life Events and Tragedies
Life's unpredictable nature often brings both joy and sorrow, and Gloria Vanderbilt's life was no exception. Two significant losses shaped her journey in profound ways: the death of her father and the tragic loss of her son.
Reginald Vanderbilt's untimely death from liver cirrhosis, exacerbated by his struggle with alcoholism, had far-reaching consequences for the family. Not only did it lead to financial instability (as Reginald had squandered a significant inheritance), but it also created emotional turmoil that would ripple through generations. Interestingly, despite his struggles, Reginald was remembered as a strong and comforting presence within the family, suggesting that his absence left a significant void.
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching tragedy in Gloria's life was the loss of her son, Carter Vanderbilt Cooper. At just twenty-three years old, Carter took his own life following a period of severe emotional distress and the end of a romantic relationship. This devastating event left an indelible mark on both Gloria and her other son, Anderson Cooper. Even years later, they continue to feel the profound impact of this loss, with the memory of Carter's final moments haunting their recollections.
Coping With Loss and Finding Resilience
In the face of such profound losses, Gloria Vanderbilt demonstrated remarkable resilience. She sought psychological help to address her deep-seated fears and grief, including the fear of losing control and the possibility of inheriting her father's alcoholism. This proactive approach to mental health allowed her to process her pain and continue moving forward.
Gloria's ability to find joy in life, despite the hardships she faced, is truly inspiring. Rather than succumbing to despair or bitterness, she chose to focus on the positive aspects of her experiences and the love she had known. This outlook helped her weather storms that might have broken a less resilient spirit.
One of Gloria's core beliefs was that forgiveness and love are essential to healing. She held her relationships in high regard and worked to ensure that her hardships didn't dominate her existence. This philosophy of acceptance and gratitude played a crucial role in her ability to bounce back from adversity time and time again.
Artistic Expression and Creative Pursuits
Gloria Vanderbilt's artistic journey began at a young age. At just ten years old, she drew a young dancer while attending Greenvale School, marking the start of a lifelong passion for creative expression. Her early sculptures, including a poignant piece depicting a young girl with her face hidden behind crossed arms, reflected the emotional turmoil of her childhood custody battle.
Throughout her life, Gloria remained committed to her artistic endeavors. She continued to paint and create until her final days, expanding her creative repertoire to include writing as well. Her art served as a powerful outlet for expressing her innermost thoughts and feelings, often mirroring her internal struggles and major life events.
The influence of Gloria's tumultuous upbringing is evident in her artistic vision. Her early works reflect her uncertainty about her place within a family grappling with alcoholism and questions of sexual identity. In many ways, her art became a means of confronting her personal "dragons" - the symbolic challenges stemming from her difficult childhood.
Entrepreneurial Ventures and Business Challenges
While Gloria Vanderbilt is perhaps best known for her artistic pursuits, she also made a significant mark in the business world. In 1979, she launched a line of designer jeans that would become iconic in the fashion industry. This venture was particularly notable because Gloria didn't have a natural inclination for business. The success of the denim line was due in large part to the efforts of Warren Hirsch, CEO of Murjani, who played a crucial role in product development.
The popularity of Gloria Vanderbilt jeans skyrocketed, buoyed by extensive advertising campaigns and Gloria's active involvement in promotional activities. The jeans appealed to a wide customer base, thanks to their stylish design and the cachet of the Vanderbilt name.
However, navigating the business world as a creative-minded individual wasn't without its challenges. Gloria's career took an unexpected turn when her artwork appeared on a popular television show, presenting her with a common dilemma faced by artists in the commercial world: how to balance artistic integrity with financial acumen.
Unfortunately, Gloria's trust in her psychiatrist and lawyer was misplaced, leading to a situation where she lost control over her own identity and found herself burdened with substantial financial obligations. This experience underscores the complex difficulties that artists often encounter when venturing into the business world, where creativity and commerce don't always align seamlessly.
Reflections on Aging and Mortality
As Gloria Vanderbilt entered her later years, her perspective on life and death evolved. At 92, she offered timeless wisdom about focusing on what truly matters in life. She reflected deeply on the passage of time, the changes within herself, and questioned whether she was still the same person her partner had initially met.
Gloria emphasized the importance of being prepared for life's challenges rather than constantly pursuing happiness. She advocated for an attitude that welcomes new experiences, believing that this approach enhances one's existence.
In her reflections on aging, Gloria showed a remarkable acceptance of the physical changes that come with time. She embraced the aging process without rushing to surgical interventions, finding beauty and meaning in the natural progression of life. Her attitude towards aging serves as an inspiring example of how to grow older with grace and self-acceptance.
Creating a Lasting Legacy
As Gloria contemplated the end of her life, she naturally turned to thoughts of the legacy she wished to leave behind. She expressed a desire to be cremated and laid to rest next to her deceased spouse, showing the enduring nature of her love and commitment.
More importantly, Gloria focused on creating lasting impressions that would support and sustain her loved ones after she was gone. She yearned to be remembered not just for her achievements, but for the profound love she had for her family.
One of the most significant aspects of Gloria's legacy is the importance she placed on open communication. The conversations she had with her son Anderson about life's important issues became cherished memories for both of them. Gloria emphasized that it's never too late to foster a transparent relationship, encouraging others to share their stories and experiences with their loved ones.
In a touching gesture, Gloria contemplated telling her story to future grandchildren, expressing a desire to maintain bonds even after her passing. This focus on storytelling and sharing personal histories underscores the value she placed on family connections and the power of narrative in creating a lasting impact.
Through her life experiences, artistic endeavors, and reflections on aging and mortality, Gloria Vanderbilt left behind a rich legacy that extends far beyond her famous name. Her story serves as a testament to the power of resilience, creativity, and love in the face of life's greatest challenges.