[2] He was the fourth child of Leopold Epstein, who was the director of the National Bank at the time,[1] and his wife Caroline, who was from a prestigious textile industry family.

[1] Due to his philanthropy, in 1866, Emperor Franz Joseph bestowed Epstein with the Iron Crown 3rd Class.

[3] Most of Gustav's fortune was destroyed in the Panic of 1873, partially due to Adolf Taussig, who had speculated with Epstein's money before committing suicide later that year.

[1] According to contemporary sources, Brigitte Haentjens described him as following: Tall and slim, with a beard trimmed in the English fashion.

He does not derive his self-confidence from his money, but from the public respect that accrues to him from his offices and numerous honorary functions.