The “Coldplay kiss cam” scandal, which led to the resignation of Astronomer CEO Andy Byron and the public scrutiny of his alleged affair with HR chief Kristin Cabot, has now cast an unexpected light on Kristin Cabot’s husband, Andrew Cabot. It turns out, Andrew Cabot is not just the CEO of Privateer Rum; he is a direct descendant and torchbearer of one of America’s most enduring and influential “Boston Brahmin” families – a lineage that adds layers of old-money prestige and a touch of historical irony to the modern-day corporate drama.
The term “Boston Brahmin” was coined by author Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. in the 19th century to describe the city’s intellectual, cultural, and financial elite. These were typically white, Anglo-Saxon Protestant (WASP) families who, through generations of wealth accumulation, education, and strategic intermarriage, came to dominate New England’s institutions. Families like the Lowells, Forbes, Adams, and particularly the Cabots, epitomized this exclusive social stratum. A famous local verse encapsulates their perceived status: “And this is good old Boston / The home of the bean and the cod / Where the Lowells talk only to Cabots / And the Cabots talk only to God.”
The Cabot Dynasty: From Soot to Rum and Billions
The Cabot family’s roots in New England stretch back ten generations, with their original fortune not built on traditional New England shipping, but on the surprisingly lucrative “carbon black” industry (soot), a crucial component in tire manufacturing. Over centuries, their wealth diversified into maritime trade, real estate, and later, significant philanthropic ventures.
Kristin Cabot’s husband, Andrew Cabot, is the sixth-generation owner of Privateer Rum, a distillery in Ipswich, Massachusetts, that directly leverages this rich family history. The company’s narrative proudly highlights Andrew’s 18th-century ancestor, also named Andrew Cabot (1750-1791), a merchant, rum distiller, and successful American privateer during the Revolutionary War. This historical connection is a cornerstone of Privateer Rum’s brand authenticity, often featured in investor presentations.
While the exact current net worth of Andrew Cabot’s individual share isn’t publicly detailed, the broader Cabot family fortune has been estimated at staggering figures. A 1972 New York Times article valued their fortune at over $200 million, which, adjusted for inflation, would be equivalent to approximately $15.4 billion today. Their influence extends across finance, education (with strong ties to institutions like Harvard University and MIT), and philanthropy, embodying the traditional Brahmin blend of privilege and public service.
A Contrast in Public Posture
The “Boston Brahmin” ethos historically valued discretion, propriety, and a quiet decorum. Scandal and divorce were often considered anathema, and wealth was typically understated. This makes Kristin Cabot’s entanglement in a highly public, viral scandal – stemming from an intimate moment caught on a stadium kiss cam – a striking irony for a family so deeply steeped in such traditions.
Kristin Cabot herself has been an advisory board member at Privateer Rum since September 2020, further cementing her connection to the family enterprise. Property records also show that Kristin and Andrew jointly purchased a $2.2 million home in Rye, New Hampshire, just five months before the infamous concert, indicating a seemingly stable and affluent lifestyle.
As the corporate investigation at Astronomer continues and the personal fallout for all parties unfolds, the revelation of Kristin Cabot’s marriage into such a prominent and historically significant family adds a fascinating dimension. It underscores the pervasive reach of a scandal that has touched not only modern tech leadership but also the deep-seated legacy of New England’s old money elite, creating an unexpected intersection of present-day viral culture and centuries of inherited prestige.