Amschel Mayer James Rothschild

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Amschel Mayer James Rothschild (18 April 1955 - 8 July 1996, Paris) was born to the Victor Rothschild and his second wife. He was educated at The Leys School and graduated from City University in 1976, where he read economics, history and archaeology. His initial vocation was in journalism, as a circulation manager of the now defunct literary magazine, The New Review.

In 1987, Rothschild joined the family banking firm, N.M. Rothschild & Sons. By 1990 he was made chief executive of one of the Rothschild's weaker assets, Rothschild Asset Management. In 1993, he became Chairman of the firm, helping to steer it onto a more stable path.

He was not heavily interested in banking. One of his favourite pastimes was farming. Rothschild had inherited an arable farm, Rushbrooke, near Bury St. Edmunds where he spent many hours at work. He was also a keen racer of cars, and was known as one of the best amateur racers in the country. His passion started when he acquired a scrambler motorcycle, at age thirteen. In later life, he got into motor racing, and was the winner of the Peter Collins Memorial Trophy Race at Silverstone in 1996. Among his car collection was an AC Cobra Daytona sports car, a 1957 Maserati 250F Formula I, and a 1958 BRM P25 Formula I.

Rothschild was also a trustee of Hanadiv, the Rothschild foundation which has supported many projects in Israel.

In 1981, he married Anita Guinness, daughter of the merchant banker James Guinness. One of his daughters married the son of billionaire Sir James Goldsmith. Rothschild and his wife were godparents to a daughter of William Waldegrave.

Rothschild committed suicide in July 1996. He was found hanged at the Hotel Bristol in Paris. The suicide came hours after a meeting, during which was discussed plans for a massive merger of asset management companies. His death was originally reported as being due to a heart attack.