NEW YORK (AP) – Benjamin de Rothschild, who oversaw the banking empire his father founded in 1953, has passed away. He was 57.
The Edmond de Rothschild Group, the company he chaired, said the Rothschild died of a heart attack at his home in Pregny, Switzerland on Friday afternoon.
Since 1997 Benjamin de Rothschild has led the banking group, which is named after his father. Today, the Edmond de Rothschild Group says it manages assets worth $ 160 billion or $ 190 billion.
Forbes magazine estimates the Rothschild’s net worth at $ 1.5 billion. He is a descendant of the Rothschild family, who have run European banks for nearly 300 years.
In a press release The Edmond de Rothschild Group announced his death, saying the Rothschild was passionate about finance, sailing, cars and wine. He was also a philanthropist involved with the Adolphe de Rothschild Foundation Hospital, the company said.
He leaves behind his wife, Ariane de Rothschild, and their four grown daughters.