Charlotte Astor’s Real-Life Divorce Scandal Explained

August 7, 2025

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Warning: SPOILERS For The Gilded Age Season 3, Episode 7, “Ex-Communicated.”

The Gilded Age season 3 focused on the topic of divorce, but Charlotte Astor’s marriage scandal is actually based on real-life. Prior to the start of the season, HBO teased that divorce would be important in The Gilded Age season 3, and it has served as a great way of exploring changing social norms in late-19th century New York.

The Gilded Age‘s characters have faced more strife in season 3, particularly in their relationships. From Gladys Russell’s marriage to Hector, Duke of Buckingham, to Marian Brook and Larry Russell’s engagement and swift breakup, none of the partnerships have been perfect, but Charlotte Astor’s appearance in The Gilded Age season 3 has certainly been the most scandalous.

Charlotte Astor’s Real-Life Divorce In The Gilded Age Explained

Charlotte Astor’s Marriage Was Full Of Scandal

Charlotte Astor’s marriage and potential divorce has come up several times throughout The Gilded Age season 3, creating tension between her and her mother, Mrs. Astor. Charlotte’s marriage scandal may sound falsified or dramatized for the series, but her husband really did challenge someone to a duel.

Charlotte Astor married J. Coleman Drayton in 1879, and the couple had three children. However, in 1892, the pair faced a huge scandal, just as The Gilded Age outlines. While the series takes place a few years earlier, the essence of the drama was the same: Charlotte spent too much time with a man named Alsop Borrowe in London.

Drayton did challenge Borrowe to a duel, but it never happened (via Newspapers.com). Instead, Charlotte and Drayton ended up divorcing, hinting at what is to come in The Gilded Age. Though Mrs. Astor has made it clear that she doesn’t want Charlotte to divorce, it seems she will have no choice but to accept the end of her daughter’s marriage.

The Gilded Age Changed Whose Divorce Is Most Important In Season 3

Aurora Fane Is Out Of The Spotlight Now

Divorce came up quickly in The Gilded Age season 3’s premiere, thanks to the abrupt breakdown of Aurora Fane’s marriage. For the first few episodes, Aurora was the central character that the show was using to explore the topic, but that has completely changed now.

Aurora Fane still appeared at certain social events where Mrs. Astor had awkwardly pressured her to leave, but Charlotte’s messy divorce has now overshadowed Aurora’s. Likewise, George and Bertha Russell’s marital troubles have been a big focus this season, but The Gilded Age season 3, episode 7’s ending makes their divorce unlikely.

The Gilded Age season 3 finale, “My Mind Is Made Up,” will premiere on HBO Max on Sunday, August 10, 2025, at 9 pm EST.

The Gilded Age‘s choice to bring Charlotte’s scandal into focus presents an interesting and perhaps necessary comparison to Aurora’s divorce. By forcing Mrs. Astor to acknowledge her daughter’s marital problems, Bertha Russell is attempting to change societal norms surrounding divorce in episode 7. Ultimately, this will help both Charlotte and Aurora and make her the new arbiter of social rules.

Source: Newspapers.com