Guggenheim family

The Guggenheim family is an American family known for their involvement in the mining industry and later in philanthropy.

Meyer Guggenheim, a Swiss citizen of Ashkenazi Jewish ancestry, arrived in America in 1847. Over the next few decades, the family became known for their global successes in mining and smelting (including the American Smelting and Refining Company) and eventually the family possessed one of the largest fortunes in the world. They later became known for their philanthropy in diverse areas such as modern art and aviation, including several Guggenheim Museums as well as the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory and I. M. Pei's Guggenheim Pavilion at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. They sold their global mining interests following World War I, then later purchased nitrate mines in Chile. Subsequently, the family largely left direct involvement in running businesses. However, one family investment company, Guggenheim Partners, today manages over $100 billion in assets. Another family vehicle, Guggenheim Investment Advisors, oversees about $50 billion in assets.