His father was Benedikt Hayum Goldschmidt, founder of the bank B.H.
One of the richest families in Europe, in 1900, after their father's death, he and his brother, Maximilian decided to close the bank and leave Frankfurt.
He also bought a 2,500 acre (10 km2) country estate in Cavenham, Suffolk.
He also held interests in the Central Mining Investment Corporation, which controlled mines in South Africa[5] and had interests in the De Beers diamond and oil business.
Adolphe's great grandchildren include Zac and Jemima Goldsmith.