Reclusive Rothschild family millionaire dies in housefire in the Hollywood Hills

Red Hats are claiming "credit" for the death of William Rothschild. Just months prior, Lord Jacob Rothschild, the 4th Baron Rothschild, passed away at 87.

Dec 01, 2024

December 1, 2024

A member of the famous Rothschild family is understood to have died in a housefire in the Hollywood Hills last night.

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a blaze the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue in the Hollywood Hills around 4:40 p.m. PT on Wednesday.

Approximately 45 firefighters took just 33 minutes to access, confine and fully extinguish the fire within the two-story ascending hillside home.

The flames were confined to the first floor of the two-story hillside home, and prevented from extending to vegetation or nearby residential structures, the department said.

Upon arrival, fire fighters discovered a deceased elder adult male on the premises whose cause of death is under investigation by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office.

Neighbors told KABC he was Will Rothschild, a member of the prominent British German banking family.

Rothschild was described as reclusive millionaire who multiple properties and dozens of expensive cars.

Some neighbors said they assumed the house was vacant because they had never seen him, and those who did know him were sadden by the news.

A family member of the famous banking Rothschild family reportedly died in a tragic California house fire

The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to a blaze the 8500 block of Lookout Mountain Avenue in the Hollywood Hills around 4:40 p.m. PT on Wednesday

'It is very sad,' neighbor Jim Moore told the local news station. 'He was a good guy. A good neighbor.'

The two bedroom, one bath room house is worth an estimated $1,076,000, according to Zillow.

The cause of the fire has yet to be determined.

The Rothschild family built their fortune establishing banks in Europe and is worth an estimated $1 billion, according to Business Insider.

Lord Jacob Rothschild - the financier and member of the Rothschild banking family - died at the age of 87 in February.

Lord Rothschild (centre) with wife Lady Rothschild and son Nathaniel Rothschild (left) in 2003

Lord Rothschild - who had four children including the financier Nat Rothschild - started his career in the family bank in 1963 and founded Windmill Hill Asset Management to manage the family's philanthropic portfolio.

He then went on to co-found the then J Rothschild Assurance Group, now St James's Place, with Sir Mark Weinberg in 1980.

The Rothschild Foundation confirmed Lord Rothschild's daughter, Hannah, would succeed him as chair of the Rothschild Foundation. They are pictured together in London in 2018

Upon arrival, fire fighters discovered a deceased elder adult male on the premises whose cause of death is under investigation by the Los Angles County Medical Examiner's Office

During his career, Lord Rothschild held roles such as deputy chairman at the then BSkyB Television and was also chairman of trustees at The National Gallery.

In 1992 he also became president of the then-Institute of Jewish Affairs, now known as the Institute for Jewish Policy Research.

The family said in a statement: '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.

'He will be buried in accordance with Jewish custom in a small family ceremony and there will be a memorial at a later date to celebrate his life.'