The Rothschild family, recognized for its involvement in banking, real estate, and charity work, has been a powerful financial family since the 1700s.
Throughout their long history of success, the Rothschilds have been the focus of various conspiracy theories. Many people believe that the famous Jewish family has too much influence over global politics.
For years, the Rothschilds have been accused of controlling a global financial network in the 1800s. In recent years, some antisemitic conspiracy theories suggest they have control over natural disasters to profit from them. This idea was put forward by Washington, D.C., Councilmember Trayon White Sr. in 2018.
After making their fortune through financial institutions for over 300 years, the Rothschild family, originally from Germany, now has members living in Europe, Israel, and the United States.
The History of the Rothschilds
The Rothschilds first gained attention as a banking family in Europe in the 1700s. Mayer Amschel Rothschild, the first patriarch of the family, grew up in the Jewish ghetto in Frankfurt, Germany.
Through his father’s textile business, Mayer Amschel Rothschild learned about trading and later became a dealer in rare coins. His work caught the attention of the crown prince, and he began working for him.
After marrying the daughter of a money changer, Mayer Amschel Rothschild had 10 children. The family moved from Germany to France, Italy, Austria, and the United Kingdom, where they set up banks and trading businesses, eventually creating one of the first international banks.
One of the early successful Rothschilds was Nathan Mayer Rothschild. He moved to Manchester, England, to start a textile business and later moved to London to establish the N.M. Rothschild bank, which still exists today.
Nathan Mayer Rothschild also played a key role in financing the British army during its battle against Napoleon. His involvement in the war led to an early conspiracy theory, with some people claiming that he intentionally paid to attend the Battle of Waterloo so he could profit by being the first to announce that Britain had won the battle.
He and his daughter Louise Rothschild also funded the construction of synagogues in London and Jewish Free Schools across Europe.
Which Rothschilds Are Alive Today?
Many members of the Rothschild family still live in Europe, Israel, and the United States. Emma Rothschild is a history professor at Harvard and holds an honorary position at Cambridge. David Mayer de Rothschild is an environmental activist, and Hannah Rothschild is an author.
James Rothschild, a financier, is married to Nicky Hilton, who is known as the hotel heiress and the sister of reality TV star Paris Hilton.
Who Was Will Rothschild, and How Did He Die?
A Hollywood home worth millions of dollars, believed to belong to Will Rothschild, an older and more private member of the family, caught fire.
The Los Angeles Fire Department reported, “In a systematic search inside the burned premises, firefighters discovered the body of an elder male, who was determined to be deceased at the scene.”
The Los Angeles County medical examiner’s office has not identified the body yet, but neighbors believed the house belonged to Will Rothschild, which led them to think that he had died in the fire.
One of his neighbors, Jim Moore, told local news channel KABC, “It is very sad. He was a good guy. A good neighbor.”
Hannah Rothschild
Hannah Rothschild, 61, is the oldest child of Jacob Rothschild and Serena Dunn Rothschild. The couple was married from 1961 until Serena passed away in 2019.
Hannah is the author of several books, including the novels “House of Trelawney,” “The Probability of Love,” and a biography of her aunt titled “The Baroness: The Search for Nica the Rebellious Rothschild.”
She has also directed and produced documentaries like “The Jazz Baroness” about her great aunt and “Hi Society: The Wonderful World of Nicky Haslam,” according to her IMDb page.
From 2015 to 2019, she served as the chair of the board of trustees of the National Gallery in London, becoming the first woman to hold this position, as reported by Artforum. Since 2018, she has chaired the board of Yad Hanadiv, the Rothschild family’s charitable foundation in Israel, according to the organization’s website.
Nathaniel “Nat” Rothschild
Nat Rothschild, 52, is the youngest child and only son of Jacob Rothschild and Serena Mary Dunn. From 1996 to 2009, he was co-chairman of the hedge fund Atticus Capital, which stopped operating in 2009. He now lives mostly in Switzerland and works as the executive chairman of Volex, an electrical manufacturing company.
He previously managed JNR Limited, an advisory firm focused on emerging markets and natural resources.
In 2012, Forbes listed his net worth at $1 billion, but he is not included in the current Forbes billionaires ranking. After his father’s death, Nat became the 5th Baron Rothschild.
Hannah and Nat have two other siblings, Beth and Emily, who have not taken prominent roles in public life or in Rothschild family businesses.
Lynn Forester de Rothschild
Lynn Forester de Rothschild, 69, was married to Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, Jacob Rothschild’s cousin, from 2000 until his death in 2022.
She is the CEO of E.L. Rothschild, a holding company with investments in various media, including the Economist Group.
In 2008, she was a major fundraiser for Hillary Clinton and later gained attention for endorsing John McCain, as reported by Politico. She divides her time between New York and London.
Edouard Etienne Alphonse de Rothschild
Edouard, 66, is a member of the French side of the Rothschild family. He is the son of Guy de Rothschild and the French socialite Marie-Hélène Naila Stephanie Josina de Rothschild.
In 2004, Edouard turned down an offer to work at the French Rothschild & Cie bank so he could focus on other activities outside of finance, as reported by The New York Times.
Edouard owns a share of the Lafite vineyard and is passionate about horses. He was president of France Galop from 2003 to 2011 and again from 2015 onwards, according to BloodHorse. In 2005, he invested around $28 million in the left-wing Parisian newspaper Libération and became president of its board in 2010.
That same year, Edouard moved to Israel, as reported by RFI. Members of the Rothschild family helped establish the state of Israel by purchasing land from Ottoman authorities and financing the building of Israel’s Knesset and Supreme Court buildings, according to the Jewish Virtual Library.
David René James de Rothschild
David René James de Rothschild is Edouard’s brother. He was the chairman of Rothschild & Co Gestion from 2012 until 2018, when he became chairman of the supervisory board of Rothschild & Co. In 2023, he was named honorary chairman, according to the official Rothschild & Co website.
The 81-year-old is also the president of the French Holocaust memorial organization, Fondation pour la Mémoire de la Shoah.
Emma Georgina Rothschild
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 holds honorary positions at Cambridge and Centre d’Histoire de Sciences Po in Paris, according to her biography on Harvard’s official website. Emma is also a trustee of the Rothschild Archive, a research center in London dedicated to the family. She is married to the Nobel Prize-winning economist Amartya Sen.
James Rothschild
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 co-founder of the investment firm West Arrow, according to his biography on Rockefeller Capital Management’s official website. He is also a trustee of Yad Hanadiv.
In 2015, he married hotel heiress Nicky Hilton at Kensington Palace, as reported by People magazine.
How Much Is the Rothschild Family Worth?
The total wealth of the Rothschild family, across all branches, is estimated at $15.7 trillion. A more conservative estimate from a Sunday Times report in 2023 said the Rothschilds were worth $1 billion.
What Companies Do the Rothschilds Own?
The Rothschild family owns and sits on the boards of many companies. Nathaniel Rothschild was the co-chair of the hedge fund Atticus Capital from 1996 until it closed in 2009.
He is now the executive chairman of Volex, an electrical manufacturing company.
Lynn Forester de Rothschild is the CEO of E.L. Rothschild, a company with investments in media, including the Economist Group.
David Mayer de Rothschild created a sustainable clothing brand called the Lost Explorer. The brand also sells mezcal.
[Updated: 04/04/2025]
