How the Rothschilds Lived: Inside Waddesdon Manor

Dive deep into the luxurious life of the Rothschilds at Waddesdon Manor, a hidden gem of wealth, art, and history! Join Ken as we explore the unseen corners of one of the world's most extravagant homes, from its breathtaking gardens to its opulent interiors filled with centuries-old treasures. Discover the untold stories of power, tragedy, and philanthropy behind the world's wealthiest family.
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Location: Buckinghamshire, England
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Photo from Neta
Public Domain Photos from: Library of Congress, Daderot
CC BY 2.0 Photos from: Flickr User: Andrew and Annemarie, Adrian Scottow, Carine06, Andrew Stawarz, Bill Tyne, pam fray, Glen Bowman, Paul Gillett, Malcolm Neal, Iain Cameron, Philip Halling, Chris Hoare
CC BY-SA 3.0Photos from: Wikipedia User: Adrian Farwell, Kimberley Yoxall, GavinJA
CC BY-SA 4.0 Photos from: Wikipedia User: Waddesdon Image Library official release, National Trust, Waddesdon Manor / Mike Fear, DeFacto, National Trust, Waddesdon Manor / Chris Lacey, National Trust, Waddesdon Manor / John Bigelow Taylor, Waddesdon (National Trust)
Assets from: Envato Elements
Music from Epidemic Sound

[@markkotishion2379]

Imagine having so much wealth that you would only live in a space like that for weeks out of the year. A vacation house? With the staff required, huntsmen, gardeners,mechanics, stable grooms, dairy workers, indoor staff while sitting empty for three quarters of the year. Unfathomable.

[@alandoak5146]

Mega yachts require large crews (Paul Allen's had former Navy Seals as security) and continuous maintenance, and spend much of the year unused by their owners. And many of the newest luxury New York apartments are unoccupied.

[@oltedders]

​@pinchependejo-iy8le I believe the correct number was 7. Ownership was in his wife's name.

[@PLuMUK54]

Waddesdon was actually his weekend house, which would have meant 4 days/5 nights every week. For the rich, the weekend was late Thursday night to early Tuesday morning. At certain times of the year, it would have been lived in for 2 or 3 weeks at a time. This still makes it an unimaginable expense, but it was effectively the main home, not a holiday home. His London House in Piccadilly was more of a pied a terre.

[@jec1ny]

@pinchependejo-iy8le Not sure where you're getting your information from, but McCain owned one home. His wife, who was independently wealthy, owned several others. Donald Trump owns six, most of which are on a scale similar to Waddesdon Manor.

[@Porsche996driver]

It was the gilded age there too. We know that nearly all of these became unbearable burdens for one reason like upkeep or another.

[@user-hj2kt4xc9h]

“Give me control of a Nations Money Supply and I care not who make its Laws!” - Mayer Amschel Rothschild

[@lorigarza9971]

They are evil.

[@melissajenniferjones9959]

😳🤯😱

[@randy8464]

I bet he doesn't think that now 👹

[@julietteyork6293]

It’s profitable funding both sides of war.

[@WolfHeathen]

It's double the profit so why not?

[@xejelah]

@@WolfHeathen Not everyone is on board with bloodshed for $$

[@xxxBradTxxx]

They purchased more British bonds than German bonds.

[@Cfwmfal]

Their ill-gotten money

[@G30RG3KA]

@@xejelah the rothschilds are :)

[@kendranewton9071]

The workmanship is amazing. The chandelier over the table in the blue dining room is gorgeous.

[@werper09]

I thought the same thing on the chandelier.

[@orangetreevintagewaresotvw9590]

I have been a fan of the more cozy and modest homes you have covered, but this one I surprisingly loved. The overstuff comfortable furniture, the cozier scale of the rooms, the color coordinated furnishings, room and decor made one appreciate the elegance and detail even more. My favorite one by far.

[@catheyashburn433]

The formal dining room is my favorite. It is breathtaking❤

[@jeffreydavis7657]

That was mine too. One of the most beautiful dining rooms I have ever seen.

[@SalMinella]

If it looks familiar and you can’t remember why it’s because it stood in for Haxby Park in Downton Abbey.

[@venezzrok871]

The true evil.

[@douglaspinsak1246]

Where did they do the ritualistic sacrifices?

[@francoischamberland4029]

Nowhere, just wonderful parties !!!!

[@user-hj4jd7dk2d]

Bohemian grove

[@claudiamann7111]

What an incredible home. I am so glad it's with the historic trust and will be maintained. I hope you show us more homes like this.

[@wendymontie5660]

My favorite class at university was ‘English Country Houses & Gardens’ and Waddesdon was one of my Victorian favorites!

[@BennyM_]

I’d love to have the smoking room and library. Deep wood tones and rich reds are probably my favourite combination. The entire estate is magnificent.

[@pegasus5287]

I am always intrigued by the secret passageways in thes big homes. It would be so fun to spend a month exploring in one of these

[@kingshakur3111]

Videos like this just proves that people like Mel Gibson and Kanye’ West are right about “those people”….😎

[@qh5163]

NO, they are named Rothschild. Two german words - Rot(h)=red and schild=shield. The name is because they had a red shield at their house in Frankfurt, so they are named after that.

[@NarasimhaDiyasena]

Correct. Their name of the root family which governs the House is Bauer. The subsidiary families along with Bauer all have their origins in Canaan.

[@hassyg4083]

Zionist German jews. Something Nazis were too. Crazy to think George Soros emerged from poverty to being as rich

[@JD-te6vm]

Canaanites who are from Draconians

[@michaellecompte1889]

Thank you. Came here to say this. Imagine making a documentary and not being able to pronounce the name correctly. 🤦‍♂️

[@hassyg4083]

@@michaellecompte1889 Soros and Rothchild

[@Brandon-tk2rw]

you can only enter if you say "Fidelio"

[@matthewquartermain8291]

Live about 30 minutes from here. My family have visited plenty of times with our national trust membership and it’s fantastic!

[@dmd5645]

Soooo jealous!!!. How lucky you are!!.

[@BethVonBlack]

Same. It's my favourite NT property - I hope to work there one day.

[@imissyoumom7644]

Built on blood money

[@Arthurian.]

​@@imissyoumom7644as was the USSR, Zimbabwe, Congo, and many other red countries

[@imissyoumom7644]

@@Arthurian. those are countries, many are that way. With Rothschild we are talking about a family not a country.

[@emtboss]

My favorite was the “Blue dining room”- lovely!!

[@LJB103]

All this is on top of the almost 300 items that Ferdinand left to The British Museum. When I first heard about the chandelier made of broken china (blue dining room), I thought "You've got to be kidding!" However, it works! Excellent video. Now cross the Channel to do a video on Ferrieres (Baron James de Rothschild).

[@jefflawrentz1624]

That’s a pretty spectacular place. I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite spot in that house but so glad it’s a national trust property. Thanks for sharing !

[@hassyg4083]

yeh one of their over 50 homes

[@thomasgeorgecastleberry6918]

Great video.

[@neighborhoodcatlady6094]

Have visited this house many times. Simply breathtaking. So many homes in UK worth visiting. ❤❤

[@francoischamberland4029]

Absolutely beautiful interior.....incomparable craftmanship

[@SMtWalkerS]

Wow! The richness and the opulence blows my mind! How wonderful that it still exists. I love the dining room, sort of icy white and silver, like a huge wedding dress room. I love those stables, too, with elegant horse statues in front.

[@Jessie-le5mv]

Excellent house Maison, thanks for your excellent video

[@vickilindberg6336]

I would love a stable & carriage house tour of one of these properties

[@Anyfantis0]

it appears Kitsch is truly timeless

[@sharonduffey]

Those dining rooms! beautiful

[@SteveWood-fr1tk]

Great podcast as always. I was struck by the comments on indoor plumbing. As I live in the UK I had always understood that the introduction of indoor plumbing for middle-class and upper class housing was widespread from the 1860's - dependant on which town you were in. Mill towns and rural areas were often an exception. In Dundee the grander tenements were built with full indoor bathrooms during Victorian times. I would be interested in the variations in the introduction of plumbing especially indoor plumbing around the world.

[@MSWABMS]

3:44 you all seen that door? And the maintenance on keeping this manor from rotting probably cost more than a country GDP probably

[@xr6lad]

Visited there about 10 years ago. The cafe round the side was where I had my first taste of Parsnip crisps/chips.

[@jeffaldridge4051]

My all time favorite exterior after Easton Neston. Gorgeous facades!

[@tanyamessimer6731]

The dining room was fabulous!

[@susanpolastaples9688]

I'm in love with Waddesden. Also the family art collection is TDF

[@anteeker]

Wow. I love the house and furnishings. The gardens are spectacular. I`m staying away from all the other comments!!

[@lesliecruguet4136]

So no tours of the dungeons and underground crypts where they perform their satanic rituals and human sacrifices I take it?

[@joeshmoe-rl7bk]

lmao...right? ...where are the goat head costumes?

[@Richardwho-vv5bh]

Sarcasm??

[@StamperWendy]

I really like this one. Thanks, Ken!

[@richardstall4351]

What a Beautiful work of art ❤

[@vickilindberg6336]

From a beginning where they weren't even allowed to have a last name ....

[@shebamaree9026]

not their real last name. they were the money changers in the temple that Jesus flipped over. they chose the cup to drink from.

[@user-zj8dn3vv5z]

@@shebamaree9026 congratulations you dont know the difference between the roman empire and the holy roman empire

[@glenncheatham1320]

Would love a video on their abandoned mansion in Paris!

[@mileshigh1321]

What is not to like about this house, inside and out! Spectacular and we can see how places like this where emulated in the US!

[@ThisHouse]

Great point! So many of the great American estates were modeled after these grand European country houses and manors.

[@stevenmyriam-6529]

It reminds one of the Biltmore Estate in Asheville

[@hassyg4083]

Vanderbilts estate

[@maxisussex]

Aylesbury Vale were Waddesdon is located was nicknamed "Rothchildshire" due to the large number of Rothchild properties in the area. One was demolished, one was retained and two (this one included) were handed to the national trust, a charity that preserves historic buildings and gardens. It was quite common for wealthy families to donate these large homes to the national trust in lieu of inheritance tax.

[@justanotherhappyhumanist8832]

Wow, it was very kind of them to bequeath it to the National Trust. It is the most beautiful building I have ever seen. I would never want to let it go…and they certainly have the wealth for its upkeep.

[@josephpiskac2781]

Masterpiece among the best or the best that I have seen so far.

[@cindee1794]

The exterior is very reminiscent of The Biltmore. If you haven't covered it already, you should consider Boldt Castle in Alexandria Bay, NY.

[@lcg5790]

The best part is getting out of that heavy interior!

[@wildfireintexas]

I love the gardens and the exterior but the majority of the interior was way over the top for me. The one room I found pleasing was the Great Drawing Room/Music Room. However, one of the bedrooms had a lovely multicolored hanging lamp.

[@JonesJones-np2kq]

Which one of the Rothchild mansions that’s currently empty it was a KZbin video of the kids. Try to get in to look around, but they got caught by security guard on a golf cart when they were peeping into the windows. All you saw was just rooms filled with furniture and paintings.

[@raydunbar8985]

Beautiful! Happy to see you crossed the pond . Hope to see Josephine Bakers home on This House ⭐️

[@douglasdennett4583]

This stone house has everything + many more - Endless beauty.!!! "Need's One Extra" The Magical Music of Vocalist of Ms. Angelina Jordan...

[@rdanalytics9197]

I stayed in a castle once while I was in France. I can honestly say that it really isn't that big of a deal. The placed smelled musty, the plumbing was weak and it was drafty. I would rather stay in a modern regular size house. You can only be in one room at a time, so having dozens of extra rooms doesn't really improve the quality of your life - it's just more of the same. Yes it's a major ego rush to point at something like that and say : that's where I live. But once the novelty of that wears off you would probably be happier living in a new home that has: good wifi, modern HVAC, new electrical and modern kitchen and laundry appliances. You also want to be around friends and family. Who wants to be in a fortress far away from everyone else and behind a wall? It's more like a prison or a lunatic asylum.

[@xejelah]

Maybe that's what they were aiming for - those fun loving psychopaths

[@Arthurian.]

What castle by chance? Some places were designed better for better flow of air

[@jilltagmorris]

Thanks Ken 😊❤

[@tamieckert4548]

All of this was in very good beautiful taste, and In considering taste and comfort, and functionality Great view of this magnificent place 💖✅👍👍❣️

[@texgal3990]

It's all stunning. But I really loved the dining room

[@swizlstik]

Oh wow, you can definitely see where George got his inspiration for Biltmore

[@crzxr]

Automaton has the stresses placed on the second and fourth syllables, when pronounced correctly.

[@danielkoher1944]

All of it is Beautiful!

[@denveraspen]

My interests were in the fireplaces in this impressive house. Look up Tartarian fireplaces. Then ask yourself why they would put beautiful paintings and cloth above and around heat sources.

[@stonyn86]

A testament to the absurd inequality there is in this world.

[@AKdaJuiceGuy]

I'm not exaggerating when I say that their estimated wealth is roughly equal to the wealth of the entire rest of the world

[@leftfieldparlays2946]

Would like to have seen more of that wine cellar

[@PLuMUK54]

One of the smaller rooms, it's about twice the size of my sitting room, has an interesting light fitting. It is part chandelier and part clock, the face of which faces downwards. I lent a little over the rope beneath in order to look up at the clockface and triggered alarms. The room was suddenly filled with staff, and my face was burning with embarrassment! I've been several times, and each time, I've noticed something different. There is simply too much to take in during one visit. The photographs do not do the rooms justice. In the photographs, they look stunning, but in reality, they are jaw-dropping. I simply could not choose a single room as my favourite. The whole place is incredible.

[@oltedders]

I've set off the alarm myself, extending my arm to point at something.

[@chemokiki]

@@oltedders glad to hear it's so well protected.

[@hassyg4083]

@@chemokiki the Balfour painting didnt fair too well

[@peterlarsen7779]

Simply breathtaking.... WOW! 😳☺️👍🥰

[@user-is4gb2jf1x]

Absolutely fabulous

[@grandmasfavorites]

Pure wow!

[@brandonpiazza6210]

This! This is the house I never knew I always wanted!

[@WizTheMc1]

why his voice sound like the mix of joe rogan and mark zuckerberg lmao

[@chemokiki]

Favorites? The automaton elephant and exploding plate chandelier!

[@BLOVES]

Phenomenal!!

[@lucyguiland-nt9vu]

Nice 😊😊

[@marioforget2773]

Disgusting.

[@hamzajamshed9619]

who remembers this house from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham

[@sabbyd1832]

I liked the potpourri ships. I haven't seen those before

[@vivaldi1948]

Gorgeous home.

[@seebunlim]

So beautiful! But the chairs don’t look very comfortable 😬

[@Pixl8dwhmsy]

When you see the added note you know.

[@virginiaroth475]

It’s beautiful I would really love to see this place it if possible thank you

[@user-hc4xm8yp7c]

A beautiful place. I loved it all. They had Great taste !

[@janedee6488]

Would love to visit. Gorgeous

[@xr6lad]

The front of this mansion was used in the classic British film comedy Carry On Don’t lose your head.

[@pedanticradiator1491]

It's been used in many films and TV series

[@rodneymunoz5166]

Not sure why but though it is beautiful, it gives me a sense of sadness as to all of the effort put into build such accomodations the owner still had just one lifetime to enjoy it. It looks to me as a great tomb for some reason.

[@garryferrington811]

In the US, this would be a dormitory suburb now.

[@oltedders]

Still the wealthiest family in the world. Best guesstimate of their wealth is $1,000,000,000,000 dollars. That's trillion! Addendum: they were still considered 2nd class citizens because they were Jewish. Queen Victoria's entourage included a complete kitchen staff to prepare her meals.

[@BlackSheep380]

Parasites

[@agaragar21]

Garish !...........Please do the estate in the Movie "The Remains of the DAY " !

[@devonna6171]

Now THIS is beautiful….ornate but tasteful. Im sorry but this estate puts to shame most of the gaudy older American mansions we’ve seen on this channel. Thank you for sharing!

[@marialadybug6261]

If this is the vacation house they spent a few weeks a year how is the the house for the rest of the year? Do you have a video of that?

[@davidford8306]

It's a shame that inheritance taxes are so ruinous. At least, they had the option of "bequeathing it to the nation". Seems like extortion.

[@gregpendrey6711]

The rich pay less tax than we do. I mean me and thee, of course. The Rothschild's will be okay. Nothing to lose sleep over.

[@WolfHeathen]

Exactly. Why should my children have to pay double tax on money that's already been taxed once? Double taxation like inheritance tax and pension tax is greed in its purest most malicious form.

[@davidford8306]

@@WolfHeathen True. Similarly, why pay property taxes on a house you already bought ? It's like you're just renting. Taxes are relentless. The only way to avoid taxes is to have your own army. Or maybe, find some loopholes.

[@purberri]

I've visited this house. It is beautiful but so opulent during a time of poverty for many.

[@oltedders]

The wealth gap was even more pronounced during the baron's lifetime.

[@gregpendrey6711]

Did the wealthy peddle bibles to the poor back then too. sorry. I'm bad.😢

[@xejelah]

esp since they helped create that poverty

[@MaverickSeventySeven]

One problem, though, given the distance to the kitchens, by the time coffee arrived in the lounge, it was cold......

[@Dulc3B00kbyBrant0n]

people were definitely sacked

[@maryanneevans9563]

Parts of the exterior remind me of the Biltmore House.

[@aadilchand9175]

These War criminal are super rich.

[@EmilyBoltz]

The grounds are what I Love. I would live in a tent for that view ❤

[@BusyBob6971]

What a wonderful house. I thank you

[@lindabrennan4455]

What a gorgeous home.

[@dontarguewithidiots7459]

Holy crap will you LOOK at this place... wow

[@user-jx9zr4ih4j]

Having met one of these guys in early 1970 so unimpressed by a wizend, shaking old man, Money is useful, affords great treasures, etc etc, but old age gets us all in the end, sneaking up behind us before we know it,

[@Oguh608]

There is something so ugly about the interiors of these palaces. Just doesn't feel homey at all. Feels despressing and cold.

[@reho7387]

Well, I grew up poor so when I see the excess of a home like this, I can only be impressed by it's grandeur, but that's it.

[@MikeR.1986]

For my taste the manor looks very stylish outside and at the same time has quite outdated baroque interiors. Compare it with the Biltmore House, the neo-renaissance interiors of the latter look so much better

[@asa1973100]

ITS MAGNIFICENT

[@danielkoher1944]

Wow! Night and Day in two comments.