John Jacob Astor   (1763 - 1848)
Age 84   Net Worth  $116 Billion (in 2017)
Citizen  US    Born  Germany 

Here is a picture of John Jacob Astor 

Here is the link to youtube video on John Jacob Astor 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHy-WSduNWg


With an estimated net worth of $116 Billion, John Jacob Astor was actually richer than Bill Gates today. 



He is important for 4 reasons
1.  He made his fortune in the fur trade.
In early part of 19th century, fur trade is the same as the oil trade today

Empire fought wars over fur trade in 18th and 19th century

2.  He was the first immigrant billionaires in US

3.  When he died in 1848, he was the richest US self-made billionaires 


He was born in Walldorf , Germany 
Here is map of Walldorf, a small town near Heidelberg

He arrived in US at age of 20.  At age 22, he married Sarah Cox Todd, and with $300 dowry (a big sum then) he opened his piano and fur store in New York City 

Here is a picture of Sarah Cox Todd

 

The Astor would be one of the most famous rich family in 19th century, not quite as famous as the Rothchild, but they built or renovated many beautiful castles  in US and England. The Hever Castle near London is one of those renovated by the Astors