Owner of Biltmore Estate dies at his North Carolina home

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — The owner of the iconic Biltmore Estate in North Carolina has died at his home.

Officials at the Biltmore Company said William Amherst Vanderbilt Cecil died Tuesday in Asheville. He was 89.

Cecil had a career in finance before returning to Asheville in 1960 in hopes of preserving his childhood home, which was the private estate of his grandfather, George Washington Vanderbilt III.

Local media outlets reported that Cecil's parents opened the Biltmore house to the public in 1930, but it didn't make a profit until 1969, and then it was nearly $17. Cecil said, "My dad was very proud of that."

Today, the 8,000-acre (3,238-hectare) estate, French-style chateau and attractions draw more than 1.4 million people annually.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

• Owner of Biltmore Estate dies at his North Carolina home
• Lancaster officers on patrol find man shot to death in middle of street
• Police release description of car that hit, killed man in wheelchair
• NYC truck attack: Investigators scour driver's background
• Police: Union Co. teacher had sexual relationship with former student
• VIDEO: Keith Monday's Wednesday forecast outlook

Associated Press