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  • Mayer Amschel Rothschild

The Beginnings of a Banking Empire

  • Expanding and Controlling
  • Nathan Mayer Rothschild
  • Growing Philanthropic Activities
  • The Family in the 20th Century
  • Moving Into the 21st Century

Who Is the Rothschild Family?

What is the rothschild net worth, the bottom line.

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Rothschild Family: History, Net Worth and Facts

biography of rothschild family

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The Rothschild family is an influential banking dynasty from Frankfurt. In fact, it is one of the most famous financial houses and was once one of the world's richest families.

Established by Mayer Amschel Rothschild in the 18th century, the empire grew to prominence under his five sons: Nathan Mayer, James Mayer, Salomon Mayer, Carl Mayer, and Amschel Mayer. Mayer Amschel believed that keeping the business in the family ensured its success in the future. And he was right.

The Rothschilds made lucrative investments and developed a solid reputation in financial management throughout Europe. They became pioneers in the development of international finance, with branches in London, Paris, Vienna, and Naples, in addition to their native Frankfurt.

From a small business engaged in trading goods and foreign exchange , the Rothschild family grew its business activities to include:

  • Merchant banking
  • Private banking
  • Asset management
  • Mergers and acquisitions
  • Venture capital
  • Pensions and investments
  • Sovereign debt
  • Commodities

The Rothschild family has maintained its financial reach even today. It is also invested in major infrastructure projects such as bridges, tunnels, and railways. Perhaps one of its most notable projects is the Suez Canal. Other business interests include hotels, media, transportation, and wine.

Key Takeaways

  • The Rothschild family grew in prominence in Europe beginning in the 18th century when Mayer Amschel Rothschild founded the family empire in Frankfurt.
  • Mayer Rothschild sent sons to establish banking operations in London, Paris, Vienna, and Naples, in addition to keeping a son in Frankfurt.
  • The family profited greatly during the Napoleonic Wars by helping the British government with its finances.
  • In his will, Mayer Rothschild left strict instructions that titles and property could only be passed down through male heirs, which encouraged marriage among family members.

Investopedia / Sabrina Jiang

Mayer Amschel Rothschild: The Founder

Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744–1812) grew up in Frankfurt's Judengasse , the narrow lane where the city's 3,000 Jewish residents were confined to live. Conditions were overcrowded and harsh. Jewish people could not leave at night, on Sundays, and on Christian holidays. They were barred from visiting public gardens or coffee shops, and could not walk in public in groups of more than two.

Mayer Rothschild learned business at a young age. His father, Amschel Moses Rothschild, dealt in silk cloth and exchanged currency. One of Mayer's first jobs was sorting coins acquired through Frankfurt's semi-annual trade fairs, which attracted buyers and sellers throughout the region.

His parents died of smallpox when Mayer was twelve. He lived with relatives, who sent him to Hannover to apprentice with Simon Wolf Oppenheimer, a prominent Jewish banking house. There, Mayer was exposed to foreign trade and finance, and learned about rare coins from places such as ancient Rome, Persia, and the Byzantine Empire. The collectors of these coins were princes and other men of wealth. The Jewish men who transacted with them were called "court Jews," or court factors, meaning they did business with nobility.

Mayer Rothschild returned to Frankfurt in 1763 at the age of 19 and joined his brothers in the trading business started by their father. Mayer became a dealer in rare coins and won the patronage of Crown Prince Wilhelm of Hesse, who had also bought coins from Mayer's father. This was an important business relationship for Mayer, as it grew to include other financial services and helped Mayer to develop ties with other nobles. Crown Prince Wilhelm was heir to immense wealth and later assumed the title Wilhelm IX, Landgrave of Hesse-Kessel.  

In 1769, Rothschild asked Wilhelm for the title of court factor, or crown agent. The honorary title signified that Mayer had performed services for royalty and allowed him to hang from his house a shield with the Hesse and Hanau coat of arms that effectively advertised this fact.  

In 1770, Mayer married Gutle Schanpper, the daughter of a money changer and court factor. She gave birth to the couple's ten children. They had five sons and five daughters.  

The Rothschild family history dates to the 1450s in Frankfurt.  

Expanding and Controlling the Rothschild Footprint

The Rothschild banking empire grew rapidly during the French Revolution. Mayer Rothschild facilitated payments from Britain for the hiring of Hessian mercenary soldiers.  

In the early 1800s, Rothschild sent his sons to live in Naples, Vienna, Paris, and London, in addition to keeping a son in Frankfurt. With Mayer Rothschild's children spread across Europe, the five linked branches became, in effect, the first bank to transcend borders. Lending to governments to finance war operations over several centuries provided the Rothschild family with ample opportunity to accumulate bonds and build additional wealth in a range of different industries.  

Before he died, Mayer Rothschild left strict instructions for his heirs on how they should handle family finances. He wanted to keep the fortune within the family and, as such, his will outlined a rigid patrilineal system of succession , whereby title and property could only pass through the male line and female descendants were excluded from any direct inheritance . This had the effect of encouraging marriages among family members.  

Between 1824 and 1877, there were 36 marriages of Mayer Rothschild's male descendants. Of these, 30 married within the family. Most married first or second cousins. During this time, only four Rothschild women and two men married partners to whom they were not related.  

Nathan Mayer Rothschild: International Financier

Of the four Rothschild sons who ventured out, the third son Nathan (1777–1836) achieved the greatest success. Nathan moved to Manchester, England, in 1798 to set up a textile business. He later moved to London to establish himself as a banker, setting up N M Rothschild in 1810.

N M Rothschild & Sons is still in operation today. In 2022, the bank reported €2.97 billion in revenue and €606 million in net income, with €101.6 billion in assets under management .

Like the other Rothschild banks, N M Rothschild & Sons furnished credit to the British government during times of crisis. During the Napoleonic Wars, the bank managed and financed subsidies the government sent to allies and lent funds to pay British troops, almost single-handedly financing the war effort.

In 1824, Nathan Rothschild and Moses Montefiore cofounded the Alliance Assurance Company, which today is part of the RSA Group. In 1835, Nathan secured the rights to mercury mines in Spain, gaining a virtual world monopoly on the chemical element, which is critical to refining gold and silver. This supply proved invaluable in 1852 when N M Rothschild & Sons began refining gold and silver for the Bank of England and the Royal Mint.

Growing Philanthropic Activities 

Nathan Rothschild contributed to many areas in the Jewish community. His family later expanded these charitable efforts to other populations in Paris and London. His earliest efforts went toward synagogues in London. This led to the formation of the United Synagogue, a group that helped streamline the causes of the smaller synagogues. Later, family members supported the development of Israel and helped construct housing and government buildings.

Nathan's youngest child, Louise, and her seven daughters took responsibility for many of the 30 Rothschild charitable foundations in Frankfurt. These foundations included public libraries, orphanages, hospitals, homes for the elderly, and special funds allocated for the purpose of education.

It is estimated that the Rothschild family has an estimated net worth of $1.2 trillion.

The Jews' Free School in London received extensive financial support. Educational efforts in Austria, France, and Israel were also made possible through the Rothschilds' generosity. In addition to monies put toward education, the family gave an estimated 60,000 pieces of artwork to public institutions. The Rothschild family expanded the creation of social housing in the cities of London and Paris, and the Rothschild Foundation was created to further these efforts.

The House of Rothschild in the 20th Century

Wars, politics, and family rivalries diminished the family fortune over the next 100 years. The Naples branch of the bank closed in 1863, and a lack of male heirs led to the closure of the Frankfurt branch in 1901. The Vienna branch was shuttered in 1938 following the Nazi invasion of Austria and the danger posed to Jews.

The Vichy government in France expropriated Rothschild's Bordeaux properties during the war, and the Nazis confiscated millions of dollars worth of art and other precious objects from the Austrian branch of the family (a portion of these were returned by the Austrian government in 1998). Over the years, palatial Rothschild estates were donated to the British and French governments and other organizations and universities.

By the 1970s, three Rothschild banks remained: the London and Paris branches and a Swiss bank founded by Edmond Adolphe de Rothschild (1926–1997). In 1982, President Francois Mitterrand's socialist government dealt the Paris bank a fatal blow, nationalizing it and renaming it Compagnie Européenne de Banque.

Despite his independence, Edmond came to the aid of his cousin, Baron David René James de Rothschild (1942), who stayed in Paris and in 1987 created Rothschild & Cie Banque. By 2003, the British and French banks were united with David as chair.

In 2008, all of the holdings were reorganized under a single company, a shareholder of Paris Orléans based in France, unifying the family businesses roughly two centuries after the five sons of Mayer Rothschild spread out across Europe.

Moving Into the 21st Century

The family wealth has been divided among descendants and heirs over the years. Today, Rothschild's holdings span a number of industries, including financial services, real estate, mining, energy, and charitable work. The family also owns more than a dozen wineries throughout the world.

Traditionally, the Rothschild fortune is invested in  closely held corporations . Today, Rothschild corporations have continued to see success. Most family members are employed by these corporations directly or are invested in operations that generate family wealth.

The remarkable success of the family has largely been due to a strong interest in cooperation, being entrepreneurs, and the practice of smart business principles.

The estate of Nathan Rothschild was intimately tied to the other fortunes of the family and became part of the collective wealth each Rothschild passed to the next generation. Rothschild descendants continue to finance global business operations and contribute to scholarly, humanitarian, cultural, and business endeavors.

The family motto is Concordia, Integritas, Industria , which means harmony, integrity, and industry.

The Rothschild family have been the subject of many conspiracy theories. Many of these conspiracy theories are rooted in anti-semitic prejudice.

The Rothschild family is a wealthy and influential banking dynasty originating from Germany. They gained prominence in the 18th century, establishing banking businesses across Europe, particularly in finance and investments. The family's legacy includes significant contributions to finance, philanthropy, and cultural institutions. The Rothschild family currently resides and operates globally, with members living in various countries around the world.

Estimating the net worth of the Rothschild family is difficult, as the family is large and sprawling. Business Insider reports their net worth at $1 billion, while other outlets estimate the collective net worth as high as $1.2 trillion.

What Companies Are Owned by Rothschilds?

The Rothschild Group has ownership stakes in many companies, some of which include Air Products and Chemicals, Duke Energy, Glencore, Alliant Energy, Mitsubishi, FirstEnergy, and Fortis.

Who Is the Head of the Rothschild Family?

The head of the Rothschild family is Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild.

Who Is the Richest Living Rothschild?

The richest living Rothschild is David Mayer De Rothschild. He is an explorer and environmentalist with an estimated net worth of $10 billion.

The Rothschild family is one of the oldest, wealthiest, and most storied families in history. With roots in banking, the family has continued to grow its wealth in a variety of businesses over the centuries, continuing to wield significant power and money.

The Rothschild Archive. " Origins of the Business ."

The Rothschild Archive. " Business Activities ."

The Rothschild Archive. " Nathan Mayer Rothschild and 'Waterloo' ."

Adam Kuper, via ResearchGate. " The House of Rothschild ," Pages 276-279. Social Anthropology, 2001.

The Rothschild Archive. " House of the Green Shield, The Judengasse, Frankfurt, Germany ."

Jeffrey E. Garten. " From Silk to Silicon: The Story of Globalization Through Ten Extraordinary Lives ." Amberley Publishing, 2016.

The Rothschild Archive. " Mayer Amschel Rothschild ."

The Rothschild Archive. " Rothschild Timeline ."

The Rothschild Archive. " Brief History of the London House, N M Rothschild & Sons ."

N M Rothschild & Sons. " Annual Report 2022 ," Pages 10 and 11.

The Rothschild Archive. " The Alliance Assurance Company. "

The Rothschild Archive. " Rothschild Family Philanthropy ."

CA Knowledge. " Rothschild Family Net Worth 2023: Assets Secret Wealth ."

The Rothschild Archive. " Edmond de Rothschild Group ."

The Rothschild Archive. " David René James de Rothschild ."

Global Coal Exit List. " Rothschild Group ."

The Rothschild Archive. " The Rothschild Name and Arms ."

CAKnowledge. " Rothschild Family Net Worth 2024 (Forbes) Family Tree ."

Business Insider. " The Rothschild family is worth an estimated $1 billion. Meet the remaining heirs of the legendary dynasty ."

The Richest. " The Richest Living Members of Rothschild Family, Ranked by Net Worth ."

biography of rothschild family

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The Rothschild family is worth an estimated $1 billion. Meet the remaining heirs of the legendary dynasty.

  • The Rothschild family amassed their fortune from their powerful European banking dynasty.
  • Lord Jacob Rothschild and his wife, Serena, had four children: Hannah, Beth, Emily, and Nat.
  • The family's philanthropy has focused on Jewish charities and arts and culture.

Insider Today

Having defined several eras of financial history and established banks across Europe, the Rothschild family 's impact remains wide-reaching.

Following Lord Jacob Rothschild's death at the age of 87, which his foundation announced Monday, the focus now turns to the heirs to the family fortune, worth an estimated $1 billion, according to a 2023 report by the Sunday Times Rich List .

Here are some of the prominent Rothschild family members now at the helm of one of the world's most powerful financial dynasties.

Hannah Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

Hannah Rothschild, 61, is Jacob Rothschild and Serena Dunn Rothschild's oldest child. The couple were married from 1961 until Serena's death in 2019.

Their daughter Hannah is the author of several books including the novels "House of Trelawney," "The Probability of Love," and a biography of her aunt, "The Baroness: The Search for Nica the Rebellious Rothschild."

She has also directed and produced documentaries such as "The Jazz Baroness" about her great aunt and "Hi Society: The Wonderful World of Nicky Haslam," according to her IMDb page.

She served as the chair of the board of trustees of the National Gallery, London, from 2015 to 2019, and was the first woman to hold the position, Artforum reported. She has chaired the board of Yad Hanadiv, the Rothschild family's philanthropic foundation in Israel, since 2018, according to the organization's official website .

Nathaniel "Nat" Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

The youngest child and only son of Jacob Rothschild and Serena Mary Dunn, Nat, 52, was co-chairman of the hedge fund Atticus Capital from 1996 until it ceased activity in 2009. He now lives in Switzerland a majority of the time and works as executive chairman of the board of directors at the electrical manufacturing company Volex .

He previously ran JNR Limited, an advisory business focused on emerging markets and natural resources transactions.

Forbes listed his net worth at $1 billion in 2012, but he is not included in Forbes' current billionaires ranking. Upon the death of his father, he became the 5th Baron Rothschild.

Hannah and Nat have two other siblings, Beth and Emily, who have not taken major roles in public life or Rothschild family institutions.

Lynn Forester de Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

Lynn Forester de Rothschild, 69, was married to Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, Jacob Rothchild's cousin, from 2000 until his death in 2022.

She is the CEO of E.L. Rothschild, a holding company with investments in a range of media properties including the Economist Group.

She was a major fundraiser for Hillary Clinton in 2008 and gained notoriety for subsequently endorsing John McCain, Politico reported. She splits her time between New York and London.

David Mayer de Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

David, 45, is the youngest child of Jacob Rothschild's cousin, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, and his second wife, Victoria Lou Schott.

An environmental activist and adventurer, he authored "The Live Earth Global Warming Survival Handbook: 77 Essential Skills to Stop Climate Change — Or Live Through It" and sailed a boat, the Plastiki, made entirely of recycled plastic bottles and other reclaimed materials, from San Francisco to Sydney in 2009.

He launched The Lost Explorer, a sustainable clothing and lifestyle brand, in 2016, GQ reported. The Lost Explorer now mainly sells mezcal.

Nadine de Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

The Baronne Nadine de Rothschild, 91, is the widow of Edmond Adolphe de Rothschild, who was chairman and owner of the Edmond de Rothschild Group . When he died in 1997, he was thought to be the richest member of the family, The Washington Post reported at the time.

Nadine de Rothschild is a French author and actress who used the stage name Nadine Tallier, according to IMDb .

Ariane de Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

Ariane, 58, was married to Edmond and Nadine Rothchild's son, Benjamin, from 1999 until his death in 2021 of a heart attack at age 57, Forbes reported.

Having worked for various Rothschild financial institutions since the early 2000s, she became CEO of Edmond de Rothschild Group in 2023, making her the first woman to run a Rothschild bank, the Financial Times reported.

Edouard Etienne Alphonse de Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

A member of the French wing of the family, Edouard, 66, is the son of Guy de Rothschild and French socialite Marie-Hélène Naila Stephanie Josina de Rothschild.

In 2004, he turned down a position at the French Rothschild & Cie bank to focus on pursuits outside of finance, The New York Times reported.

Edouard owns a share of the Lafite vineyard and is an avid horse enthusiast, having served as the president of France Galop from 2003 to 2011 and from 2015 onwards, BloodHorse reported. In 2005, he invested approximately $28 million in the left-wing Parisian newspaper Libération, and he became president of its board in 2010.

That same year, he moved to Israel, RFI reported. Members of the Rothschild family contributed to the founding of the state of Israel, buying land from Ottoman authorities and financing the construction of Israel's Knesset and Supreme Court buildings, according to Jewish Virtual Library .

David René James de Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

Edouard's brother, David René James de Rothschild, served as chairman of Rothschild & Co Gestion from 2012 until 2018, when he moved on to hold the position of chairman of the supervisory board of Rothschild & Co. He became honorary chairman in 2023, according to Rothschild & Co's official website .

The 81-year-old also serves as president of the French Holocaust memorial organization, Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah .

Emma Georgina Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

Emma Georgina Rothschild, 75, is the daughter of Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild — Jacob Rothschild's father — and his second wife, Teresa Georgina Rothschild.

She is an economic historian at Harvard and an honorary professor at Cambridge and Centre d'Histoire de Sciences Po in Paris, according to her biography on Harvard's official website . She also serves as a trustee to the Rothschild Archive, a London-based center for research into the family. She is married to the Nobel-prize winning economist Amartya Sen.

James Rothschild

biography of rothschild family

James Rothschild, 38, is the grandson of Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild.

He is the founder and managing partner of the growth technology firm Tru Arrow Partners and the co-founder of the investment firm West Arrow, according to his bio on Rockefeller Capital Management's official website . He is also a trustee of Yad Hanadiv.

He married hotel heiress Nicky Hilton at Kensington Palace in 2015, People magazine reported.

biography of rothschild family

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A to Z listing of Rothschild family members

  • Adèle Hannah Charlotte von Rothschild 1843-1922
  • Adelheid von Rothschild 1853-1935
  • Adolphe Carl von Rothschild 1823-1900
  • Albert Anselm Salomon Nimrod von Rothschild 1922-1938
  • Alexandre Guy Francesco de Rothschild 1980-
  • Alfred Charles de Rothschild 1842-1918
  • Alice Adélaïde Betty Nadine de Rothschild 1999-
  • Alice Charlotte von Rothschild 1847-1922
  • Alice Miranda Rothschild 1983-
  • Aliénor Marie-Hélène Jacqueline de Rothschild 1998-
  • Aline Caroline de Rothschild 1867-1909
  • Alix Hermine Jeanette de Rothschild (née Schey de Koromla) 1911-1982
  • Alphonse Edouard Emile Lionel de Rothschild 1906-1911
  • Alphonse Mayer von Rothschild 1878-1942
  • Amschel Mayer von Rothschild 1773-1855
  • Amschel Mayor James Rothschild 1955-1996
  • Amschel Nathaniel de Rothschild 1995-
  • André de Rothschild 1874-1877
  • Anne Sonia de Rothschild 1930-1971
  • Annie Henriette (Annie) de Rothschild 1844-1926
  • Anselm Alexander Carl (Alexander) von Rothschild 1835-1854
  • Anselm Salomon von Rothschild 1803-1874
  • Anthony Gustav (Tony) de Rothschild 1887-1961
  • Anthony James de Rothschild 1977-
  • Anthony Nathan (Billy) de Rothschild 1810-1876
  • Arthur de Rothschild 1851-1903
  • Babette Rothschild 1784-1869
  • Béatrice Juliette Ruth de Rothschild 1939-
  • Benjamin Edmond Maurice Adolphe Henri Isaac de Rothschild 1963-2021
  • Benjamin Mayer Rothschild 1952-1952
  • Bertha Clara (Berthe) von Rothschild 1862-1903
  • Berthe Juliette Gudule (Juliette) de Rothschild 1870-1896
  • Beth Matilda Rothschild 1964-
  • Bethsabée Louise Emilie Béatrix (Batsheva) de Rothschild 1914-1999
  • Bettina Caroline de Rothschild 1858-1892
  • Bettina Jemima (Betty) von Rothschild 1924-2012
  • Betty von Rothschild 1805-1886
  • Carl Mayer (Carl) von Rothschild 1788-1855
  • Caroline Julie Anselme (Julie) von Rothschild 1830-1907
  • Cathleen (Kitty) von Rothschild (nee Wolff) 1885-1946
  • Cécile Léonie Eugénie Gudule Lucie de Rothschild 1913-1995
  • Charles Henri Auguste (Henri) de Rothschild 1938-1938
  • Charlotte de Rothschild 1807-1859
  • Charlotte de Rothschild 1825-1899
  • Charlotte von Rothschild 1819-1884
  • Charlotte Béatrice (Béatrice) de Rothschild 1864-1934
  • Charlotte Esther von Rothschild 1885-1885
  • Charlotte Henrietta de Rothschild 1955-
  • Charlotte Louise Adela Evelina (Evelina) Rothschild 1873-1947
  • Chloë Alix Irina de Rothschild 1990-
  • Clementine Henriette (Clemmie) von Rothschild 1845-1865
  • Constance (Connie) de Rothschild 1843-1931
  • David Lionel (Lionel) de Rothschild 1955-
  • David Mayer de Rothschild 1978-
  • David Raoul Guy de Rothschild 1998-
  • David René James de Rothschild 1942-
  • Diane Cécile Alice Juliette de Rothschild 1907-1996
  • Dorothy Mathilde (Dollie) de Rothschild (née Pinto) 1895-1988
  • Edmond Adolphe Maurice Jules Jacques de Rothschild 1926-1997
  • Edmond James de Rothschild 1845-1934
  • Edmund Leopold (Eddy) de Rothschild 1916-2009
  • Edouard Alphonse James de Rothschild 1868-1949
  • Edouard Etienne Alphonse de Rothschild 1957-
  • Elie Robert de Rothschild 1917-2007
  • Elisabeth Clarice Esther Gustava (Baba) de Rothschild 1952-
  • Elizabeth Charlotte (Liberty) Rothschild 1909-1988
  • Elizabeth Naomi de Rothschild 1992-
  • Emily Magda (Emmy) Rothschild 1967-
  • Emma Georgina Rothschild 1948-
  • Emma Louisa von Rothschild 1844-1935
  • Eric Alain Robert David de Rothschild 1940-
  • Esther Eva Marie-Cécile de Rothschild 1979-
  • Eugène Daniel (Buri) von Rothschild 1884-1976
  • Evelina (Evy) de Rothschild 1839-1866
  • Evelyn Achille de Rothschild 1886-1917
  • Evelyn Robert Adrian de Rothschild 1931-2022
  • Ferdinand James Anselm de Rothschild 1839-1898
  • Gabrielle (Nelly) de Rothschild (née Beer) 1886-1945
  • George Anselm Alphonse von Rothschild 1877-1934
  • Georgine Sara (Georgie) von Rothschild 1851-1869
  • Germaine Alice de Rothschild (née Halphen) 1884-1975
  • Gustave Samuel James de Rothschild 1829-1911
  • Guy Edouard Alphonse Paul de Rothschild 1909-2007
  • Gwendoline Charlotte Frances Joan (Gwen) von Rothschild 1927-1972
  • Hannah de Rothschild 1851-1890
  • Hannah Barent Rothschild (née Cohen) 1783-1850
  • Hannah Louisa von Rothschild 1850-1892
  • Hannah Mary Rothschild 1962-
  • Hannah Mathilde (Mathilde) von Rothschild 1832-1924
  • Hannah Mayer de Rothschild 1815-1864
  • Hélène Betty Louise Caroline de Rothschild 1863-1947
  • Henri James Nathaniel Charles de Rothschild 1872-1947
  • Henriette Rothschild 1791-1866
  • Isabella Rothschild 1781-1861
  • Jacob Alain de Rothschild 1999-
  • Jacqueline Rebecca Louise de Rothschild 1911-2012
  • James Alain Robert Alessandro de Rothschild 1985-
  • James Amschel Victor Rothschild 1985-
  • James Armand Edmond (Jimmy) de Rothschild 1878-1957
  • James Gustave Jules Alain (Alain) de Rothschild 1910-1982
  • James Mayer de Rothschild 1792-1868
  • James Nathaniel Charles Léopold de Rothschild 1896-1984
  • Jeanne von Rothschild (née Stuart) 1908-2003
  • Jeanne Charlotte Louise Marthe de Rothschild 1874-1929
  • Jeannette Rothschild 1771-1859
  • Jessica de Rothschild 1974-
  • Julie Rothschild 1790-1815
  • Kate Emma Rothschild 1982-
  • Katherine Juliette (Kate) de Rothschild 1949-
  • Kathleen Annie Pannonica (Nica) Rothschild 1913-1988
  • Laura Thérèse (Thérèse) von Rothschild 1847-1931
  • Lavinia Anne Alix de Rothschild 1976-
  • Leonora (Laury or Lally) de Rothschild 1837-1911
  • Leopold de Rothschild 1845-1917
  • Leopold David (Leo) de Rothschild 1927-2012
  • Leopold James de Rothschild 1994-
  • Liliane Elisabeth Victoire de Rothschild (née Fould-Springer) 1916-2003
  • Lionel James Mayer René (René) de Rothschild 1861-1861
  • Lionel Nathan de Rothschild 1808-1879
  • Lionel Nathan de Rothschild 1882-1942
  • Lionel Walter (Walter) Rothschild 1868-1937
  • Louis Nathaniel von Rothschild 1882-1955
  • Louise de Rothschild 1820-1894
  • Louise de Rothschild (née Montefiore) 1821-1910
  • Louise Lili Béatrice de Rothschild 1989-
  • Lydia Louise (Yvonne) de Rothschild (née Cahen d'Anvers) 1899-1977
  • Margaretha Alexandrine (Margeurite) von Rothschild 1855-1905
  • Marie de Rothschild (née Perugia) 1862-1937
  • Marie-Hélène Naila Stephanie Josina de Rothschild (née van Zuylen de Nyevelt) 1927-1996
  • Marie-Louise Eugénie de Rothschild (née Beer) 1892-1975
  • Mathilde Sophie Henriette de Rothschild (née de Weisweiller) 1874-1926
  • Maurice Edmond Charles de Rothschild 1881-1957
  • Mayer Albert de Rothschild 1846-1850
  • Mayer Alphonse (Alphonse) de Rothschild 1827-1905
  • Mayer Amschel Rothschild 1744-1812
  • Mayer Amschel (Muffy) de Rothschild 1818-1874
  • Mayer Anselm Léon von Rothschild 1827-1828
  • Mayer Carl (Charles) von Rothschild 1820-1886
  • Michel Nathaniel Robert Eugène (Nathaniel or Natty) de Rothschild 1946-
  • Minna Caroline (Minka) von Rothschild 1857-1903
  • Miranda Rothschild 1940-
  • Miriam Caroline Alexandrine (Miriam Alexandrine) de Rothschild 1884-1965
  • Miriam Louisa Rothschild 1908-2005
  • Monique Charlotte Thérèse de Rothschild 1925-2018
  • Nadine Charlotte Thérèse Jeanne Mathilde de Rothschild 1898-1958
  • Nadine Nelly Jeanette de Rothschild (née Lhopitalier) 1932-
  • Naomi Louisa Nina de Rothschild 1920-2007
  • Nathalie de Rothschild 1843-1843
  • Nathan James Edouard (James Edouard) de Rothschild 1844-1881
  • Nathan Mayer Rothschild 1777-1836
  • Nathaniel (Charles) Rothschild 1877-1923
  • Nathaniel (Nat) de Rothschild 1812-1870
  • Nathaniel Charles (Jacob) Rothschild 1936-2024
  • Nathaniel Mayer (Natty) de Rothschild 1840-1915
  • Nathaniel Mayer (Puggy) von Rothschild 1836-1905
  • Nathaniel Mayer (Victor) Rothschild 1910-1990
  • Nathaniel Philip Victor James (Nat) Rothschild 1971-
  • Nelly Sabine Rachel Cécile de Rothschild 1947-
  • Nicholas David (Nick) de Rothschild 1951-
  • Nicole Mathilde Stéphanie de Rothschild 1924-2007
  • Noémie Alix Michèle Léonora Harley de Rothschild 1995-
  • Noémie Claire Alice Palmyre (Mimi) de Rothschild (née Halphen) 1888-1968
  • Octave de Rothschild 1860-1860
  • Oscar Ruben von Rothschild 1888-1909
  • Philippe Georges de Rothschild 1902-1988
  • Philippine Mathilde Camille de Rothschild 1933-2014
  • Pietro Noé Gennaro de Rothschild 1991-
  • Raphael Benjamin Jacob de Rothschild 1976-2000
  • Renée Louise Marie de Rothschild 1927-2015
  • Robert James de Rothschild 1947-
  • Robert Philippe Gustave de Rothschild 1880-1946
  • Rosemary Leonara Ruth de Rothschild 1913-2013
  • Rózsika Rothschild (née von Wertheimstein) 1870-1940
  • Salomon Albert Anselm (Albert or Salbert) von Rothschild 1844-1911
  • Salomon James de Rothschild 1835-1864
  • Salomon Mayer von Rothschild 1774-1855
  • Sara Louise (Louise) von Rothschild 1834-1924
  • Sarah Rothschild 1934-2018
  • Saskia Anna Esther Maria del Mar de Rothschild 1987-
  • Stéphanie Anne-Marie Hélène Lili de Rothschild 1977-
  • Teresa Georgina (Tess) Rothschild (née Mayor) 1915-1996
  • Valentine Noémi (Valli) von Rothschild 1886-1968
  • Victoria Katherine Rothschild 1953-
  • Wilhelm Carl (Willy Carl or Willy) von Rothschild 1828-1901
  • Zoë Lucie Betty (Lucie) de Rothschild 1863-1916

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biography of rothschild family

The Rothschild Archive

Welcome to The Rothschild Archive's website

biography of rothschild family

Sources for business history

biography of rothschild family

Sources for art history: Catalogue of the pictures of Alfred de Rothschild 1901

biography of rothschild family

Sources for yachting history: Plans for Nathaniel von Rothschild's yacht Veglia 1905

biography of rothschild family

Sources for natural history: Walter 2nd Lord Rothschild and his zebra carriage: c.1910

biography of rothschild family

Sources for global financial history: Map of lines of the Brazil Railway Company: c.1920

biography of rothschild family

Sources for business history: index cards to bank files

biography of rothschild family

Sources for social history: Rothschild Hospital Paris: 1920s

biography of rothschild family

Sources for business history: detail of a Rothschild bond coupon

biography of rothschild family

Sources for architectural history: Halton House: 1890s

biography of rothschild family

Sources for the history of travel: Lionel de Rothschild's tours of Spain: 1909

biography of rothschild family

Sources for local history: Tring Park: c.1900

biography of rothschild family

Sources for Royal history: shooting party with Edward Prince of Wales: 1893

biography of rothschild family

Sources for political history: Lionel de Rothschild: first Jewish MP: 1858

biography of rothschild family

Sources for sporting history: St Amant winner of the Derby: 1904

biography of rothschild family

Sources for local history: gardeners at Aston Clinton: 1899

biography of rothschild family

Sources for Rothschild family history: Lionel de Rothschild's yacht Rhodora: 1927

biography of rothschild family

Sources for London history: entrance to New Court: 1965

biography of rothschild family

Sources for design history: plans for Lionel de Rothschild's Rolls-Royce: 1930

biography of rothschild family

Sources for business history: Rothschild gold bars produced by the Royal Mint Refinery: 1930s

biography of rothschild family

Sources for business history: letters of August Belmont Rothschild Agent in New York: 1860s

Rothschild Family Tree

The Rothschild Archive is responsible for maintaining the family tree of the male lines of the Rothschild banking family descended from Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812), and the Archive also keeps records of the female lines. Note: Rothschild was by no means a unique name and there were other (unrelated) families called Rothschild originating in Frankfurt, and other (unrelated) families have adopted the name (or versions of it) over the years.

The Rothschild Family Tree

The Rothschild family featured on this website showws the descendants through the male line of Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812) of Frankfurt. The online Rothschild Family Tree is derived from The Rothschild Family Index, compiled in 2000.  Go to the Rothschild Familly Tree »

The link will open in a new window. There are two ways in which you can interact with the genealogy:

  • You can  manually browse   by  clicking and dragging  with your mouse to move around the area of the tree.
  • You can  search  by typing (e.g.  Nathan ) into the box that appears at the top of the genealogy. Matching searching results will be returned in a list. You can then click on any of the entries and the tree will automatically move to that person.

Once at an entry on the tree, you can view more detail about that person by clicking on their box. You can then automatically traverse across to other people in the tree by clicking on their generation/position number (e.g.  3.1 ). This number denotes  generation  (top-to-bottom) and  position  (left-to-right) within the tree. For example,  3.1  means 3rd generation (as measured from Mayer Amschel) and 1st position chronologically within that generation.

Rothschild ancestry

The most detailed published genealogy of the Rothschild banking family is  Le Sang des Rothschild  by Joseph Valynseele and Henri Mars (Paris: ICC Editions, 2004). Rothschild was by no means a unique name and there were many other families called 'Rothschild' originating in Frankfurt and many other unrelated families bearing the name 'Rothschild' exist around the world.

Rothschild family biographies

For short biographies of members of the Rothschild family descended from Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812) of Frankfurt, please  Go to The Rothschild Family: Biographies »

The Five Rothschild brothers by Raunheim

The Five Rothschild brothers by Raunheim

The Rothschild family arms

The Rothschild family arms

COMMENTS

  1. Rothschild family

    The Rothschild family (/ ˈ r ɒ θ (s) tʃ aɪ l d / ROTH(S)-chylde German: [ˈʁoːt.ʃɪlt]) is a wealthy Ashkenazi Jewish noble banking family originally from Frankfurt that rose to prominence with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812), a court factor to the German Landgraves of Hesse-Kassel in the Free City of Frankfurt, Holy Roman Empire, who established his banking business in the 1760s.

  2. Rothschild family

    Rothschild family, the most famous of all European banking dynasties, which for some 200 years exerted great influence on the economic and, indirectly, the political history of Europe. The house was founded by Mayer Amschel Rothschild (b. February 23, 1744, Frankfurt am Main—d. September 19, 1812, Frankfurt) and his five sons, Amschel Mayer (b.

  3. Rothschild Family: History, Net Worth and Facts

    Full Bio. Michael Logan is an experienced writer, producer, and editorial leader. ... The Rothschild family grew in prominence in Europe beginning in the 18th century when Mayer Amschel Rothschild ...

  4. Rothschild family summary

    Rothschild family, European banking dynasty.It was founded by Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812), who started out in a Frankfurt banking house. The family name derived from the red shield (rote Schild) on the house in the Jewish ghetto where Mayer's ancestors lived.The financial transactions of the Napoleonic Wars of 1792-1815 were the foundation of the Rothschild fortune.

  5. Who Is the Rothschild Family? See Their Net Worth, Children, Heirs

    The Rothschild family is worth an estimated $1 billion. Meet the remaining heirs of the legendary dynasty. Ben Walsh and Talia Lakritz. Updated. Feb 26, 2024, 2:16 PM PST. Nicky Hilton is married ...

  6. The Family :: The Rothschild Archive

    The Rothschild family can trace their origins back to the Frankfurt's Judengasse in the 1450s. Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812) laid the foundations on which his five sons and their descendants would build a Europe wide banking empire, establishing their businesses and making their family homes in Vienna, London, Paris and Naples, as well as Frankfurt.

  7. Home

    Brief biographies are available for family members descended from Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1774-1812) of Frankfurt, through the male line, to the present generation of adult members of the Rothschild family. Biographical information about spouses of Rothschilds may also be included in their biography entry.

  8. Rothschild family Facts

    Rothschild family, the most famous of all European banking dynasties, which for some 200 years exerted great influence on the economic and, indirectly, the political history of Europe. In addition to banking and finance, the Rothschild businesses have encompassed mining, energy, real estate, and winemaking.

  9. Rothschild family

    The Rothschild family is a wealthy Ashkenazi Jewish noble banking family originally from Frankfurt that rose to prominence with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812), a court factor to the German Landgraves of Hesse-Kassel in the Free City of Frankfurt, Holy Roman Empire, who established his banking business in the 1760s. Unlike most previous court factors, Rothschild managed to bequeath his ...

  10. Rothschild Family

    Rothschild Family. The Rothschild family, the most influential banking dynasty of modern Europe, began with Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1743-1812) in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and expanded across Europe under his five sons: Amschel Mayer Rothschild (1773-1855) in Frankfurt, Germany; Salomon Rothschild (1774-1855) in Vienna, Austria; Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836) in London ...

  11. The Rothschild Women Led Lives as Full as the Men's

    A new biography by Natalie Livingstone focuses on several generations of the banking family's wives and daughters, documenting their passions for politics, science and music, all abetted by ...

  12. Jacob Rothschild, 4th Baron Rothschild

    Early life and education. Born at Merton Hall in Cambridge on 29 April 1936, Nathaniel Charles Jacob Rothschild was the eldest son of Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron Rothschild, by his first wife Barbara Judith Rothschild (née Hutchinson). His father was born into a Jewish family, while his mother converted to Orthodox Judaism when they married. Rothschild was educated at Eton College and then ...

  13. Rothschild family

    The family name was derived from the red shield ( rothen Schilde in German) used by an ancestor as a sign for his shop. Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812) laid the foundation of the family fortune. He was born in the Jewish quarter of Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany. He became a tradesman and provided some banking services, such as exchanging ...

  14. Genealogy of the Rothschild family

    The Rothschild family is a European family of German Jewish origin that established European banking and finance houses from the late eighteenth century. The Rothschild family was founded by Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the "founding father of international finance". Wanting his sons to succeed on their own and to expand the family business across ...

  15. Rothschild Family

    The Rothschild Women Led Lives as Full as the Men's. A new biography by Natalie Livingstone focuses on several generations of the banking family's wives and daughters, documenting their ...

  16. Rothschild

    ROTHSCHILD. ROTHSCHILD, family of financiers and philanthropists, patrons of the arts and sciences who greatly contributed to Jewish causes, particularly to the settlement of Ereẓ Israel and the State of Israel.(See charts: Rothschild Family).Over the years their name became a byword for opulence and munificence, serving both as a positive symbol of Jewish wealth, influence, and philanthropy ...

  17. The House of Rothschild

    In his rich and nuanced portrait of the remarkable, elusive Rothschild family, Oxford scholar and bestselling author Niall Ferguson uncovers the secrets behind the family's phenomenal economic success. ... The House of Rothschild is a biography of the rarest kind, in which mysterious and fascinating historical figures finally spring to life ...

  18. A to Z listing of Rothschild family members

    A to Z listing of Rothschild family members. Adèle Hannah Charlotte von Rothschild 1843-1922. Adelheid von Rothschild 1853-1935. Adolphe Carl von Rothschild 1823-1900. Albert Anselm Salomon Nimrod von Rothschild 1922-1938. Alexandre Guy Francesco de Rothschild 1980-. Alfred Charles de Rothschild 1842-1918.

  19. The Rothschilds: A Family Portrait by Frederic Morton

    In Frederic Morton's classic tale, the family is brought vividly to life. Here you'll meet characters as lively as you can imagine: Mayer, long-time advisor to Germany's princes, who broke through the barriers of a Frankfurt. and Haring; and Kathleen Nica Rothschild de Koenigswarter, the "jazz baroness," in whose arms Charlie Parker died.

  20. Rothschild banking family of England

    The Rothschild banking family of England is the English branch of the Rothschild family. It was founded in 1798 by Nathan Mayer Rothschild (1777-1836), who first settled in Manchester before moving to London, England, which was then part of the Kingdom of Great Britain. He was sent there from his home in Frankfurt by his father, Mayer Amschel ...

  21. Famille Rothschild

    La famille de Rothschild est une famille juive d'origine allemande qui a essaimé dans plusieurs pays et dont les membres portent diverses nationalités.. Elle a formé au début du XIX e siècle cinq branches, à Francfort-sur-le-Main, Vienne, Naples, Londres, et Paris, dont seules les deux dernières subsistent aujourd'hui.. Les Rothschild se sont fait connaitre depuis le XVIII e siècle ...

  22. The Family ‹ Family Tree :: The Rothschild Archive

    The Rothschild Family Tree. The Rothschild family featured on this website showws the descendants through the male line of Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812) of Frankfurt. ... Badge of office of the Alliance British and Foreign Life and Fire Assurance Company, 1824; The 'Poll book', 1847; The 'Disdéri' photograph album, 1859-1863;

  23. Rothschild (Familie)

    Rothschild ist der Name einer jüdischen Familie, deren Stammreihe sich in Deutschland ab 1500 urkundlich belegen lässt. Ihre Mitglieder sind seit dem 18. Jahrhundert vor allem als Bankiers bekannt geworden. Sie zählten im 19. Jahrhundert zu den einflussreichsten und wichtigsten Finanziers europäischer Staaten.

  24. Rothschild

    Rothschild (German pronunciation: [ˈʁoːt.ʃɪlt]) is a name derived from the German zum rothen Schild (with the old spelling "th"), meaning "to the red shield", in reference to the houses where these family members lived or had lived. At the time, houses were designated by signs with different symbols or colors, not numbers. The name Rothschild in Yiddish means "red coat" (coat as in ...

  25. Keluarga Rothschild

    RIT Capital Partners - English investment trust founded by English Rothschild family; The Xander Group - Global investment firm founded by Rothschild family and Getty family; The Rothschild Group - It includes activities of Rothschild & Cie Banque and N M Rothschild & Sons. Paris Orléans S.A. Diarsipkan 2011-07-17 di Wayback Machine. - The ...

  26. 로스차일드가

    로스차일드가의 문장. 로스차일드 가(영어: Rothschild family)는 독일 유대계 국제적 금융 재정 가문이다. 독일 프랑크푸르트에서 태어난 마이어 암셀 로스차일드가 세웠고, 5명의 아들들에게 사업을 분배해서 맡겨 최초의 국제적 금융 은행을 설립한 후 막대한 부를 축적하였다.

  27. Rothschild banking family of Austria

    History Salomon Rothschild, founder of the Austrian branch of the Rothschild banking dynasty.. Salomon Mayer had been sent to Austria from his home in Frankfurt by his father, Mayer Amschel Rothschild (1744-1812). Wanting his sons to succeed on their own and to expand the family business across Europe, Mayer Amschel Rothschild had his eldest son remain in Frankfurt, while his four other sons ...

  28. Rothschild banking family of Naples

    The Rothschild banking family of Naples ( Italian: Famiglia di banchieri Rothschild) was the Neapolitan branch of the Rothschild family. It was founded by Carl Mayer von Rothschild (1788-1855), who was sent to the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from Frankfurt in 1821. Endogamy within the family was an essential part of the Rothschild strategy in ...