NEW YORK (AP) – Benjamin de Rothschild, who oversaw the banking empire started by his father in 1953, has died. He was 57 years old.
The Edmond de Rothschild group, the company of which he was president, said de Rothschild died of a heart attack Friday afternoon at his home in Pregny, Switzerland.
Since 1997, Benjamin de Rothschild has led the banking group, which was named after his father. Today, Edmond de Rothschild Group says it manages assets worth 160 billion euros, or 190 billion dollars.
Forbes magazine estimates Rothschild’s net worth at $ 1.5 billion. He is a descendant of the Rothschild family, which has a history of almost 300 years running European banks.
In a press release Announcing his death, the Edmond de Rothschild group said de Rothschild was passionate about finance, navigation, cars and wine. He was also a philanthropist involved in the Adolphe Hospital of the Rothschild Foundation, the company said.
He is survived by his wife, Ariane de Rothschild, and their four adult daughters.