Louis Nathaniel de Rothschild
Louis Nathaniel, Baron von Schwartz de Rothschild | |
|---|---|
| Born | 5 March 1882 Vienna, Austria |
| Died | 15 January 1955 (aged 72) Montego Bay, Jamaica |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, nobleman |
| Known for | Member of the Rothschild banking dynasty; leadership of Creditanstalt bank; detained and ransomed by Nazi forces |
Louis Nathaniel, Baron von Schwartz de Rothschild () was an Austrian nobleman belonging to the distinguished Rothschild banking dynasty.
Early life
He entered the world in Vienna on 5 March 1882 as the offspring of Baron Albert Salomon Anselm von Rothschild (1844–1911) and Bettina Caroline de Rothschild (1858–1892). His father possessed several grand residences in Vienna, notably the Palais Albert Rothschild, which contained extensive collections of fine art and antiques.
Career
Upon the passing of his father in 1911, Louis assumed control over the Creditanstalt bank along with numerous industrial ventures overseen by the Austrian branch of the Rothschild family.
Detainment and ransom by Nazi forces
Following Austria’s annexation by Nazi Germany in March 1938, Rothschild was apprehended at Aspern airport and held captive by Nazi authorities. His liberation entailed a ransom payment of $21 million—among the largest personal ransoms ever recorded—secured through negotiations between his relatives and the Nazi government.
During his confinement, Heinrich Himmler made a personal visit and commanded that his detention conditions be improved. Despite interventions from British royal figures, Rothschild remained imprisoned at Vienna’s Hotel Metropole while Nazi officials moved to confiscate his assets. His estates were placed under administration by a German commissioner. Before the Anschluss, he had advised family members to seek refuge outside Austria; consequently, his children were relocated to the Netherlands.
Ultimately, Louis was allowed to exit Austria and survived both World War II and the Holocaust.
Aryanisation and asset confiscation
The entirety of Rothschild family holdings was looted and subsequently Aryanised. Their urban palace was demolished after the war concluded. The majority of their artworks were retained by Austrian authorities, who prohibited their export. In 1998, more than 200 pieces were restituted to Rothschild heirs and later auctioned at Christie's in London during 1999, yielding $90 million.
In 2020, descendants of Rothschild initiated one of Vienna’s largest restitution claims concerning a trust expropriated by the Nazis.
Personal life
In 1946, he wed Countess Hildegarde Karoline Johanna Maria "Hilda" von Auersperg, daughter of Count Anton von Auersperg. They lived between East Barnard, Vermont in the United States and England, without having children.
Rothschild passed away from heart failure while swimming in Montego Bay, Jamaica on 15 January 1955.
See also
External links
- AEIOU |Louis Nathaniel Freiherr von Rothschild
- Die Rothschild'schen Gemäldesammlungen in Wien, catalogue of art collections belonging to Louis and Alphonse Rothschild confiscated by Nazis, available via OAPEN Foundation