How Much Do You Know About Europe's Banking Dynasty?

When it comes to wealth, influence, legacy, and conspiracies, few families can rival the Rothschilds. At one time, the world's wealthiest family, they funded wars, built infrastructure, and even helped lay the foundation of nations. Here are 20 facts you might not have known about the Rothschild family.

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1. They Pioneered Modern Finance

The founder of the Rothschild finance house, Mayer Amschel Rothschild, is often called the "father of international finance" because he was the first to establish a network of banking houses across different cities in Europe. The Rothschilds are also credited with inventing several elements of today's banking system, like government bonds and cross-border lending.

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2. The Dynasty Began In A Ghetto In Frankfurt

Before they became the richest family in the world, the Rothschilds had fairly humble beginnings. Mayer Amschel Rothschild was born into a modest family in Frankfurt's Jewish ghetto in the 18th century and was orphaned at a young age.

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3. Without Them, There May Not Be A Suez Canal

The Rothschilds played a crucial role in funding the Suez Canal by providing a $5 million loan to the British government in 1875. This helped Britain secure control of the waterway which was vital for shortening its route to India. 

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4. They're Patrons Of Art

To this day, the Rothschilds are known for being great art lovers and investing in the arts. They collected and donated paintings, funded ballets, films, plays, musical programs, and employed composers.

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5. They Were Early Philanthropists

The Rothschilds were philanthropists before it was cool. They helped fund the construction of Jewish hospitals, schools, provided support for the poor, and created scholarships and foundations. 

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6. The Helped Develop Railways

During the Industrial Revolution, the Rothschilds shifted their focus to developing infrastructure. They helped fund railway projects in Britain, France, Belgium, Austria, Italy, and even played a role in developing railways in the US, Canada, and the Middle East. 

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7. They Funded Both Sides Of the Conflicts 

Before central banks existed, the Rothschild family provided liquidity to governments when they were broke in exchange for bonds. Because the country was spread around Europe, it acted as a more-or-less neutral financial network. This also ensured their wealth remained safe no matter who won the war. 

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8. They Faced Anti-Semitic Conspiracy Theories

The Rothschilds were the target of some of the nastiest and most pervasive anti-semitic conspiracy theories due to their enormous wealth and visibility. The fantasy that the family is the hidden puppet master of the world, controlling everything, started circulating in the 19th century and remains to this day.

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9. They Are Of German Jewish Origin

The Rothschild family is of Jewish German descent with their roots in Frankfurt, Germany. The family spread around several countries in Europe, becoming a multinational family enterprise, but each branch kept its Jewish identity, despite facing legal and social discrimination because of it. 

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10. They Were Directly Involved In The Independence of Brazil 

Brazil declared its independence in 1822, but Portugal refused to recognize it as a sovereign country until a large fee was paid. The Rothschilds raised the capital on the London market and loaned it to Brazil, which not only financed the country's independence but also helped stabilize its government.

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11. They Married Between Cousins

To ensure their wealth and power stayed within the family, the Rothschilds practiced strict marriage alliances in the 19th century. This often entailed arranged marriages between cousins.

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12. They Built Some Of Europe's Finest Estates

The Rothschild family built several famous properties across Europe. Perhaps the most famous is Château Mouton Rothschild, a world-renowned winery in Pauillac, France. There's also Waddesdon Manor, an opulent French Renaissance-style château in England. 

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13. They Helped Create Israel

The Rothschild played a role in the creation of Israel by purchasing land for Jewish settlement and agricultural development. Once Israel was established as a country, the Rothschild family funded schools, hospitals, and cultural institutions.

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14. Five Sons Created Five Branches

Mayer Amschel Rothschild created the first international banking empire by strategically sending each of his five sons to a different capital city in Europe. This created a financial network that spanned the whole continent.

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15. They're Still Prominent In The Finance World

Although no longer necessarily the richest family in the world, the Rothschilds remain important through their ongoing activities in finance and philanthropy. Their firm, Rothschild & Co, is still a major player in investment banking, asset management, and private banking, and they still support the arts and other causes. 

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16. They Established Several Banks Across Europe

The Rothschild family established several major banks across Europe, some of which are still active today. N M Rothschild & Sons in London is still active as Rothschild & Co. and still advises governments, corporations, and wealthy people. 

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17. A Rothschild Was The First "Paper Millionaire"

Nathan Mayer Rothschild, one of Mayer's five sons, was reportedly the first "paper millionaire," meaning he was the first person to amass that much fortune through bonds and loans rather than gold or physical goods. This changed the way people look at wealth forever. 

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18. They Had Their Own Private Intelligence Service

The Rothschilds had their own intelligence network of couriers and messengers so they could efficiently communicate between branches and also know what was going on in the world even before governments did. This gave them a critical advantage in business and finance. 

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19. They Started As Dealers In Luxury Goods

Mayer Amschel Rothschild got his start trading luxury goods and rare coins. He managed to gain the patronage of Prince Wilhelm of Hesse, which he leveraged to get into banking. 

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20. They Funded Scientific Research

The Rothschilds not only funded arts, but also scientific research, too. They've established foundations focused on various disciplines, including molecular biology, infant medicine, infectious diseases, and neuroscience. 

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