The British peer started his career in his family bank in 1963.
Financier, philanthropist and head of the renowned Rothschild empire, Lord Jacob Rothschild has died aged 87.
His family confirmed his death in a statement on Monday and described the patriarch – who has held a number of senior financial and philanthropic roles – as a “towering presence”.
The Rothschilds have an estimated fortune of around £825m, according to last year’s Sunday Times Rich List, and give away a reported £66m to Jewish causes, education and art each year.
The British peer started his career in the family bank, NM Rothschild & Sons, in 1963, before breaking away from the family business in 1980 and going on to co-found J Rothschild Assurance Group, now known as St James’s Place, in 1991.
Lord Rothschild was married for more than 50 years to Serena, who died in 2019, and leaves behind four children – Hannah, Beth, Emily and Nat – and many grandchildren. The Rothschild Foundation confirmed Lord Rothschild’s daughter Hannah would succeed him as chair of the charity.
In a statement announcing his death, his family said: “Our father Jacob was a towering presence in many people’s lives, a superbly accomplished financier, a champion of the arts and culture, a devoted public servant, a passionate supporter of charitable causes in Israel and Jewish culture, a keen environmentalist and much-loved friend, father and grandfather.