"Little Gloria" Vanderbilt (born 1924) was the center of the most sensational custody battle in U.S. history. The girl who stuttered and could hardly put her feelings into words grew into a woman who discovered herself through acting, writing, drawing, painting, and designing. Her efforts led to the creation of a world-famous line of goods, all bearing her highly recognizable name.

Gloria Vanderbilt, the great-great-great granddaughter of shipping magnate, Cornelius Vanderbilt, has been in the limelight since childhood, when her mother and aunt fought a very public custody battle over the "poor little rich girl." Vanderbilt first published a book of poetry in 1955 and has since published her memoirs and fiction. She married four times, only the last time happily. Vanderbilt made a name for herself as a very successful designer of jeans, perfume, shoes, linens, accessories, and even a frozen dessert. Then, tragedy struck when her 23-year-old...