Financier and philanthropist Jacob Rothschild dies at 87

Financier and philanthropist Jacob Rothschild, of the renowned Rothschild banking dynasty, has died at 87, his family said Monday. Rothschild began his career in the family bank, NM Rothschild & Sons, in 1963, before he broke away to start businesses and charitable organizations. His family described him as a “towering presence," “a passionate supporter of charitable causes in Israel and Jewish culture” and a “keen environmentalist.” The Rothschild family has an estimated fortune of about 825 million pounds ($1 billion) according to last year’s Sunday Times Rich List. It reportedly gives away millions of pounds to Jewish causes, education and art. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair was among political and cultural leaders who paid tribute to Rothschild.