His elder half-brother, Ignace von Ephrussi, founded a branch of the family bank in Vienna, Austria.

Maurice Ephrussi and his brother Michel were both involved in the sport of Thoroughbred horse racing.

Maurice owned Haras du Gazon, a breeding farm in Bazoches-au-Houlme, Orne, Normandy where he bred the outstanding runner and champion sire, Perth.

The marriage quickly turned to disaster for Béatrice, as she caught syphilis from Maurice which prevented her from having children.

They won the case and, in June 1904, after 21 years of marriage, Béatrice de Rothschild and Maurice Ephrussi were separated.