Jessica De Rothschild

Jessica de Rothschild was born in 1974 into one of Britain's best-known banking families. Her father, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild (1931–2022), was a prominent British financier and former chairman of N M Rothschild & Sons. Her mother was Victoria Lou Schott. Jessica has two brothers: Anthony James de Rothschild and environmentalist David Mayer de Rothschild
Rather than pursuing a career in banking, Jessica entered the arts and entertainment industry, becoming a film and theatre producer. She has also developed an extensive philanthropic career. She is a trustee of the ERANDA Rothschild Foundation, has been involved with UNHCR since 2016, and holds leadership positions supporting women and refugees.

Jessica de Rothschild was born on 5 June 1974. She belongs to the British branch of the Rothschild family descended from the banking dynasty established in London by Nathan Mayer Rothschild in the early nineteenth century.

Her father, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild, was one of the most prominent members of the family's British branch during the twentieth century. He led N M Rothschild & Sons and was involved in British finance, business and philanthropy.

Jessica's own career developed in a different direction. She became involved in journalism, theatre and film, including work as a literary editor for Tatler before moving further into production. Historical biographical records also identify her as having worked as a model.

Over time, her professional activities expanded beyond entertainment into philanthropy. She became particularly involved with the ERANDA Rothschild Foundation, which was established by her father and focuses on areas including education, healthcare and social welfare. She has served as a trustee since 2000.

Her humanitarian work subsequently became increasingly prominent. Since 2016, she has worked with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). As of 2025, she was listed as Co-chair of the Women's Committee for USA for UNHCR and Co-chair of the UNHCR Global Women in Philanthropy Executive Committee.

She has therefore built a public profile around film, theatre, philanthropy, women's empowerment and humanitarian causes.

Jessica was born into the Rothschild family's British branch in 1974.

She grew up during a period when the Rothschild name remained strongly associated with international banking and British financial institutions. Her father was a senior figure in the family's banking business, while other members of her extended family were involved in finance, property, agriculture, philanthropy and the arts.

Her childhood also connected her to the family's longstanding tradition of philanthropy. The ERANDA Foundation, established by her father in 1967, became particularly important to her later life and career.

Jessica comes from the British Rothschild branch.

Parents

Father: Sir Evelyn Robert Adrian de Rothschild (1931–2022)
He was a British financier and former chairman of N M Rothschild & Sons.

Mother: Victoria Lou Schott (1949–2021)
She was an American-born member of the Schott family. She and Evelyn married in 1973 and divorced in 2000.

Siblings

Jessica has two brothers:

Anthony James de Rothschild, born 30 January 1977
David Mayer de Rothschild, born 25 August 1978, an environmentalist, adventurer and conservation advocate.

The Rothschild Archive's genealogy places Jessica as part of the seventh generation of the family.

Marriage

Jessica married British-American filmmaker Sacha Gervasi in December 2010. Contemporary genealogical records identify her married name as Gervasi.

Jessica studied at the University of Edinburgh.

She subsequently pursued postgraduate education at SOAS University of London, where she obtained a Master's degree in Middle Eastern Studies.

Her educational background is notable because it combines a traditional British university education with specialized study of the Middle East, an area that later connected with some of her interests in international affairs and humanitarian work.

She also participated in conferences connected with the Interfaith Foundation between 1996 and 2003.

Jessica's career has gone through several stages.

Journalism and media

Early in her professional life, she worked in the media and was associated with Tatler, where she worked as a literary editor. Historical biographical records also describe her as having worked as a model.

Theatre

She subsequently moved into theatre production.

The Rothschild Archive describes her as a theatre producer, while contemporary biographies describe her more broadly as a producer of both film and theatre.

She has also had connections with London's theatre establishment, including the Almeida Theatre Company. UK Companies House records show that she served as a director of Almeida Theatre Company Limited from 2004 to 2005.

Film

Jessica has also worked as a film producer and has received recognition for her production work.

She has been associated with productions including My Dinner with Hervé and November Criminals. Her production work has received award nominations, including a 2019 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Television Movie and a 2019 Producers Guild of America nomination.

Jessica's activities are somewhat different from those of Rothschild family members who work directly in banking.

Production

Her principal commercial career has been in film and theatre production.

Company directorships

UK Companies House records show that Jessica has held several company positions. Among her current directorships are:

Tintagel Rose Limited — Director, appointed in 2019
Ascott Properties Limited — Director, appointed in 2010
Henry Sotheran Holdings Limited — Director, appointed in 2000

She has also previously held positions in companies associated with theatre and production.

It is important to distinguish these activities from the banking operations of Rothschild & Co: Jessica is not the person who runs Rothschild & Co. That role belongs to another branch of the family, including Alexandre de Rothschild as Executive Chairman.

Philanthropy

Her other major area of activity is philanthropy. She has been a trustee of the ERANDA Rothschild Foundation since 2000.

Jessica's life can be understood within the broader evolution of the Rothschild family.

The Rothschild dynasty began its major European expansion in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries through Mayer Amschel Rothschild and his five sons. One of his sons, Nathan Mayer Rothschild, established the family's major British banking operation.

By Jessica's generation, the family's activities had diversified considerably. Although banking remained central to some branches, members of the family became involved in:

Finance
Investment
Wine and agriculture
Property
Arts and culture
Environmental causes
Philanthropy
Humanitarian activities

Jessica represents this diversification particularly clearly. Her career moved toward arts, entertainment and philanthropy, rather than traditional investment banking.

Her father's generation was particularly significant in British banking. Sir Evelyn de Rothschild was chairman of N M Rothschild & Sons, while other family members developed separate financial and investment businesses.

Jessica married Sacha Gervasi, a British-American filmmaker, in 2010.

She has a daughter and lives in Los Angeles.

Her personal and professional life has increasingly included humanitarian and philanthropic activities. She has been involved with UNHCR since 2016, with particular emphasis on supporting women and refugee-related causes.

She also serves on the Honorary Board of Directors of The Royal Ballet and Opera in London and is Chair of its International Council.