Tragedy struck the Hollywood Hills on November 27 when a man who had long posed as a member of the prestigious Rothschild family died in a house fire.
The deceased, previously known as William de Rothschild but born William Alfred Kauffman, had no actual ties to the famous banking dynasty, the New York Post reported.
Acquaintances knew him as William de Rothschild, but he actually was William Alfred Kauffman, a native of Colorado. In 1985, he legally changed his name and adopted an identity that would cast a long shadow over his later years.
William Kauffman was originally from Colorado but grew up in Salem, Oregon. After attending the University of Oregon, his life's narrative took on the contours of a novel, with Kauffman disappearing from his family’s life sometime in the 1960s or 70s. His brother, Richard Kauffman, revealed that the family had eventually presumed William was dead.
Richard Kauffman provided further insights into the complexities of his brother's character, mentioning, "My brother was kind of a mysterious character when I knew him.” This statement paints a picture of a man who was perhaps driven by unknown motives to adopt such a drastic alternate persona.
Kauffman justified the renaming to William de Rothschild in 1985 in court documents, claiming it simplified his life and was allegedly a maternal family name. However, his brother dispelled this notion, clarifying that their lineage held no Jewish roots and certainly no connection to the Rothschild family genealogy.
In the years that followed his name change, William Kauffman lived quietly under his assumed identity. A neighbor described him as very polite and educated, noting that he carried himself with the dignity one might expect of a Rothschild.
Despite adopting a high-profile surname associated with immense wealth and influence, there is no public record of Kauffman using this new identity for personal gain. Instead, he maintained a low profile, interacting with his community under the guise of nobility.
This dichotomy between his public demeanor and private truth adds a layer of intrigue to Kauffman's life, highlighting the puzzling decision to assume such a weighted name without the apparent desire for corresponding benefits.
The fire that claimed William's life is under active investigation by both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Fire Department. As it stands, the details of what caused the fire remain shrouded in mystery, compounded by the complex layers of William’s dual identities.
Much speculation revolves around why he chose to live under the Rothschild name. Mike Rothschild (not related to the wealthy Rothschilds) commented on the situation, noting the typical assumptions of wealth and power associated with the Rothschild name, which often attract people with various motivations.
“Why the fire victim might have used the name is still a mystery,” Mike Rothschild added, highlighting the enigmatic reasons behind William’s choice of identity that might now never be fully understood.
The story of William Kauffman, alias William de Rothschild, presents a fascinating insight into identity and legacy. His estrangement and the subsequent reinvention pose deep, unresolved questions about his true motivations and the life he led under an assumed identity.
As investigations continue, the community and his remaining family members seek closure on the life and tragic death of a man who lived as a Rothschild without a claim to the name. The unfolding revelations will perhaps provide a clearer picture of the psychological and emotional dimensions behind this unusual pretense.
The bizarre and tragic tale of William Kauffman—the man who would be Rothschild—leaves a legacy shrouded as much in enigma as in flame. It underscores not only the power of a name but also the profound solitude that can accompany a life lived behind a façade.
