"One sometimes hears, 'Who will be the next Brooke Astor?'” says Barbara Walters, of her recently departed friend. "But there will never be another Brooke Astor. She was unique—charming, wise, funny, elegant and, most important, generous."

And we couldn't agree more.

After all, there's Astor, a true philanthropist and generous soul, donated her life (and over $200 million of her fortune) towards charital pursuits and was of the firm belief that money—like manure—"should be spread around."

And then there's the modern "socialite," the Tinsley Mortimers and Oliva Palermos, who are far too wrapped up in her own petty elitist squabbles to even attend a charity fundraiser (see today's Page Six) and, of course, the Paris Hiltons, who are of the firm belief that venereal diseases—like manure—"should be spread around."

We'll miss you, Brooke.