Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill (November 13, 1871 - June 30, 1934) became the 9th Duke of Marlborough on the death of his father. He was often known as "Sunny" Marlborough after his courtesy title of the Earl of Sunderland which he held until 1895.

On November 6, 1895 he married the American railroad heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt, at St. Thomas’s Episcopal Church, New York, New York. They had two sons, John Albert Edward William, Marquis of Blandford, eventually the 10th Duke of Marlborough, and Lord Ivor Charles Spencer-Churchill. They were divorced in 1921 and the marriage was annulled five years later.

He married Gladys Marie Deacon in 1921.

Preceded by:
George Spencer-Churchill
Duke of Marlborough Followed by:
John Spencer-Churchill