Eli Rothschild Interview: 10 Powerful Insights from a Remarkable Humanitarian Leader

Eli Rothschild – I believe in the consensus of the elites – Ten questions for the author of the bestseller

Exclusive interview by journalist Sofia Zolotova for The Times of Russia with Eli Rothschild, author of the acclaimed historical bestseller Secrets of the Rothschilds. Elie Rothschild is currently visiting Russia on a humanitarian visit and is presenting his book in Russian to a Russian audience.

Good afternoon, dear Eli! Thank you so much for agreeing to give an interview for our portal “The Times of Russia”. My first question is: Do you like Moscow, the capital of Russia? What city or flower would you compare Moscow to?

I would compare Moscow to a blue tulip. Or maybe with a golden tulip. I noticed that many Orthodox domes in Moscow, which vaguely remind me of the tulip inflorescence, use a combination of blue and gold colors. It seems to me that this is a sacred combination. Of the cities, I would certainly compare Moscow with New York, where I spent a lot of time and implemented a lot of projects. These are “living” cities that look like a buzzing hive. And these are places of power, places of revelations and realizations. In addition, I believe in the potential of Russian-American relations, and that is why these two cities, which are so close to me, in my opinion, should play a key role in the dialogue between the West and the East.
In New York, you might wake up rich and famous one day. In Moscow, you can wake up happy and enlightened one day, and even cry with happiness at Russian icons.

My second question is about the division of the world. So, the world was divided into West and East, into good and evil, believers and non-believers. What is the main criterion for dividing the world and what is the main factor in uniting the world?

The main problem for the world is money. Money has corrupted people. Money has even ruined religion. The problem is that a small number of people have a huge amount of money. And a huge number of people have very little money, which is barely enough to survive. I’ve lived in the West for too long-in America, Canada, and Europe, and I’ve become completely disillusioned with Western civilization. I would like to discover the East – the Silk Road – China, India, Central Asia, the Arab world. But I decided to start with Russia, which is located between East and West, like a two-headed eagle. I want to emphasize that people are united and separated by the same factor – interest. I believe in a dialogue between the West and the East, in the consensus of the elites, but we must take into account the genuine interests of the individual. Few people talk about them. They mostly talk about material interests and profits. I believe that it is in the interests of humanity to develop their inner world, their spiritual potential, their interest in self-knowledge and perception of Beauty.

3) Eli, you started your career as a financier, and now you continue it as an art entrepreneur, patron of artists, peacemaker, philanthropist and promoter of green energy. What motivates you the most in learning new activities?

My main motivation in life is adventure. The main ingredient of adventure is the unknown. I’ve always been attracted to the unknown, I loved taking risks and changing directions. My dad, Baron Elie Rothschild, wanted me to be a banker. Every father wants the best for his child. But I wanted something new for myself, something unknown. This motivated me in my work. All my life I’ve been breaking stereotypes and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. Besides, I love connecting worlds. For example, one of my global green energy projects is to connect Greece and Libya using a new generation of eco-friendly underwater cable. To sum up, I am motivated by adventure and service to humanity. I think I will live up to my father’s trust. I may not live up to his expectations, but I will certainly live up to his trust.

Eli, which of the human virtues in your opinion is the most important?

There are three main virtues in my opinion. The first virtue is reflection. Reboot. This can be called productive self-doubt, which leads us to perfection. A human being is a being who asks questions, including questions to himself. The second virtue is conscientiousness, honesty. And the third is openness, the ability to have a dialogue. If you have these three virtues, then you are my true friend.

Eli, which of the Russian writers or artists do you like the most?

Can I say not a writer, or an artist, but a composer? I adore Pyotr Tchaikovsky and consider him a cosmic genius. I particularly admire Tchaikovsky’s Violin Concerto in D Major. It is very significant for me that Tchaikovsky originally dedicated this Concert to Leopold Semenovich Auer, a Jew and professor at the St. Petersburg Conservatory. This proves once again that the Russian creative aristocracy in tsarist Russia was closely connected with the Jewish aristocracy. This is the consensus of the elites. Moreover, it is harmony. Talent has no nationality. Talent is the radiance of the soul.

Ali, the G-20 summit is taking place in South Africa these days. Today, many people are talking about the voice of the Global South, but I would like to ask you about another voice, the Voice of Hope. Do you believe, Eli, that the leaders of the global twenty will be able to find a compromise and the right solution in the interests of all mankind?

Unfortunately, global politicians today will not be able to find effective solutions. Because they are far from understanding the real needs of people. Politicians, alas, live in their own isolated world. Unfortunately, modern politicians have lost the most important and necessary quality – caring for people. But we shouldn’t despair. We need to do what we can to serve people and thereby set an example for others, including politicians. The voice of the Global South is the voice of justice, it is a request for recognition. I am sure that this voice will be heard. Western elites today are in a state of spiritual suspended animation, their souls are asleep and contemplating nightmarish dreams. Greed and the pursuit of comfort should not be the main engines of civilization. I am sure that sooner or later new elites will be formed who will be able to change the global agenda. The emergence of new political alliances, such as BRICS, which, by the way, includes South Africa, is the beginning of the process of reformatting the global agenda at the level of true values and true human interests.

Eli, you have written a stunningly interesting book about the secrets of your family, the Rothschild family. Tell me, how would you describe your family’s historical mission? In your opinion, has the family coped with this mission, or is the mission continuing?

It is very difficult to answer this question unequivocally. For most people, the Rothschild family figures in a stereotypical model of perception. People know that the Rothschilds are bankers, behind-the-scenes financial bigwigs and wine producers. But the Rothschilds also invested a lot in medicine, in medical research, and saved many lives. Unfortunately, good things are quickly forgotten, that’s how human nature works. Many members of my family were actively involved in charity work. However, any service to humanity will never be enough. This area should have no restrictions. As for the mission, I can openly say about my personal mission – I always try to help people. I believe that the more a person is given, the more they will be asked, and the more they sacrifice, the more they will receive. This is a spiritual dialectic.

Elie, I know that you own unique vineyards in France and your own brand of rose wine. Are you planning to supply your products to the Russian market?

Yes, of course, I would really like my rose wine to be presented on the Russian market. I also produce an absolutely innovative produc
carbonated tea, Including herbal teas and hibiscus.
It is an alternative to Coca-Cola and champagne, absolutely healthy and absolutely alcohol-free products. I’m always on the lookout for new things and open to experimentation. I would like to visit Russian vineyards and I am ready to cooperate with Russian companies in various fields. My motto is: business in the name of harmony.

Eli, which personality in the history of mankind is your ideal?

This is an incredibly difficult question. He demands maximum frankness. I’ll probably say: “Karl Marx!” Please don’t be surprised. In my opinion, Karl Marx was a real humanist who criticized the bourgeoisie and bourgeois values based on selfishness. I respect Marx for rebelling against the big bosses, the capitalists, who profited madly from the suffering of ordinary workers. Perhaps it looks like a paradox – a man from the bourgeois Rothschild family is a hidden Marxist. But I love breaking stereotypes.

If you had a one-minute audience with God with the opportunity to ask God to perform any miracle. What kind of miracle would you ask for?

That’s probably the question that can turn your soul inside out. First of all, an audience with God is not measured in minutes. It is measured in eternity. I would most likely ask God for an unattainable miracle: may there be no more injustice in this world. I’m sure that’s what God wants. But the trouble is that people don’t want that. People will build their civilization on injustice, violence and greed again. Therefore, the question is how to improve human nature. This is probably the most important miracle and the most important task – to always remain a Man with a capital letter.

Thank you Eli and wish you to truly fall in love with Russia!

Thank you, Sofia, that’s exactly what’s happening to me right now.I would also like to express my deep gratitude to Dr. Darina Donici, who receives me in her wonderful innovative clinic. God bless Russia!