Marie de Rothschild (née Perugia) (1862-1937)

Marie, Mrs Leopold de Rothschild (née Perugia) (1862-1937) was born in Italy, the daughter of the Trieste merchant Achille Perugia. Marie met her future husband at an English social gathering attended by her older sister, Louise (1854-1943), who was married Arthur Abraham David Sassoon (1840-1912); Louise was affectionately known as ‘Aunt Lou’ to the Rothschild family. 

In January 1881, Marie married Leopold de Rothschild (1845-1917). The wedding was one of the social events of the season, attracting enormous attention, both because of the popularity of the groom, and the beauty of the young bride. The event was attended by many famous guests including Disraeli, and the Prince of Wales who signed the register in the Central Synagogue, Great Portland Street, becoming the first member of the Royal family to attend a Jewish service. The couple soon became part of the inner circle of the Prince of Wales, and this closeness to the Royal family would be continued by both husband and wife until Marie’s death in 1937. She developed an active correspondence with Mary of Teck, who would later become Queen Consort to George V.  

Leopold and Marie made their country homes at Gunnersbury Park and at Ascott House, with Newmarket the focus of their horseracing interests; in town, there was Hamilton Place and Gunnersbury Park. They were gracious and generous hosts, and Marie was one of the great Edwardian hostesses, organising many society events. The marriage produced three sons; Lionel Nathan (1882-1942), Evelyn Achille (1886-1917) and Anthony Gustav (1887-1961). Lionel and Anthony went on to lead the London bank; Evelyn was tragically killed in action in Palestine in 1917. Marie maintained close correspondence with her extended family in Austria and Italy throughout her life. 

Marie was devoted to her pets, particularly her dogs, indeed photographs of her without her dogs are rare.  Her other interests included poetry, which she read in voluminous amounts and also hunting, which she conducted with enthusiasm.

Throughout her life, Marie supported many medical charities, and served on hospital boards. During the First World War, she served as the President of the Middlesex Branch of the British Red Cross Voluntary Aid Detachment (VAD) and was involved in establishing the Aylesbury Military Hospital. In 1920, she was appointed a CBE in recognition of her contributions. She survived her husband by 20 years and died at Ascott on 8 April 1937.

See also Leopold de Rothschild »