British financier Sir Evelyn de Rothschild has died at the age of 91, his family has said in a statement.
Sir Evelyn was the son of Anthony de Rothschild and Yvonne Cahen d’Anvers of the Bischoffsheim banking family.
He is widely recognised as one of the leading philanthropists and financiers of his generation and was knighted by the Queen in 1989 for services to banking and finance.
A keen horse trainer and owner, Sir Evelyn’s horse Crystal Ocean won the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2018.
In a statement, his family said: ‘It is with great sorrow that Lady de Rothschild announces the death of her beloved husband, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, after a short illness.
‘Sir Evelyn passed away peacefully yesterday evening at his home in London with his loved ones by his side.
‘The family appreciates thoughts and prayers at this very sad time.’
Born in London in 1931, he attended Harrow School and the University of Cambridge before dedicating his life to his family’s bank after his father retired in 1961.
Sir Evelyn was chief executive and chairman of the bank NM Rothschild and Sons Ltd between 1976-2003, and he was chairman of The Economist from 1972-1989.
The financial dynasty had been started by his great-great-great-grandfather in the late 18th century and helped to finance the Duke of Wellington’s victory over Napoleon in the 1815 Battle of Waterloo.
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