John Jacob Astor IV was one of the richest men in the world when he died on the Titanic. Here's a look at his life.

John Jacob Astor IV was one of the wealthiest people in the world.

Library of Congress / Getty

• When John Jacob Astor IV died on the Titanic, he was one of the world's richest people.
• He built landmark New York hotels like the Astoria Hotel and the St. Regis.
• Astor's wife, who was 30 years younger than him, was pregnant aboard the Titanic and survived.

John Jacob Astor IV was one of the wealthiest people in the world when he perished in the Titanic sinking on April 15, 1912.