Banker, vintner Rothschild dead at 90

INNSBRUCK, Austria, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The Baron Elie de Rothschild, who helped run France's successful Rothschilds' bank, died this week in Austria at the age of 90.

The Telegraph reported Wednesday that the death of Rothschild comes after he enjoyed a successful career both with his famed Paris banking family and as the temporary head of his family's French Chateau Lafite-Rothschild vineyard.

A success in both worlds, Rothschild remained an active individual until his death Tuesday in the Austrian Alps.

After a lucrative stint controlling the vineyard, Rothschild eventually handed over control of the celebrated vineyard to his nephew Eric in 1974.

While Rothschild enjoyed success in both the wine-making and banking industry, it all came after he had spent time in a German prisoner of war camp during World War II.

Captured by German forces in 1940, Rothschild attempted numerous unsuccessful escape attempts before ultimately being freed.

The British newspaper said that during his incarceration, Rothschild did marry his girlfriend Liliane Fould-Springer by proxy and they later had two daughters and a son.