Former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger is the latest witness to testify at the trial of Brooke Astor's son that the socialite was failing mentally in her final years.
Kissinger said today that Astor gave a dinner party for Kofi Annan in 2002 but didn't recognize the guest of honor, who was secretary-general of the United Nations at the time.
Kissinger said Astor asked him to do the toast to honor Annan because she didn't know what to say.
Astor's mental condition is a central issue at the trial of her son, Anthony Marshall, who's accused of plundering her $198 million estate.
In his testimony, Kissinger said he noticed the mental decline around 2001. Astor died in 2007 at age 105.
Wednesday, Vanity Fair editor Graydon Carter said Astor forgot who he was when they met for lunch in Palm Beach, Fla., in February 2003, when she was 100.
Carter said when they met she asked, "Do you know Graydon Carter?" He put his arm around her and said, "I'm right here."
Astor's maid testified that the failing socialite forgot her own name in 2002. Carol Stanley said Astor asked, "Who am I?" Stanley said she told her and read to her from her autobiography.
