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

Marie, Mrs Leopold de Rothschild (née Perugia) (1862-1937) was the daughter of the Trieste merchant Achille Perugia. Her sister Louise (1854-1943) married Arthur Abraham David Sassoon (1840-1912); Louise was affectionately known as ‘Aunt Lou’ to the Rothschild family. 

Marie married Leopold de Rothschild (1845-1917) in January 1881. The wedding was one of the social events of the season and 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.

Leopold and Marie made their country homes at Gunnersbury Park and at Ascott House. Here and at Hamilton Place, London, they were gracious and generous hosts.

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.

See also Leopold de Rothschild »