Later life
What were Stanhope's later years like?
The 3rd Earl Stanhope's later years were marked by family disagreements. In 1800, Stanhope's daughter Hester left the family estate to live with Lady Chatham and later with William Pitt, encouraging her half-brothers to do the same. Financial disputes between Stanhope and his eldest son, Philip Henry, went to court and were featured in contemporary press. Stanhope and his second wife, Louisa, separated in 1806. Stanhope died of dropsy at the Chevening estate on 15 December 1816, an isolated figure.