Meyer Guggenheim (/ˈɡʊɡənhaɪm/ GOOG-in-hime; German: [ˈmaɪər ˈɡʊɡn̩haɪm]; February 1, 1828 – March 15, 1905)[1] was the patriarch of what became known as the Guggenheim family in the United States, which became one of the world's wealthiest families during the 19th century, and remained so during the 20th.

[2] After emigrating from Switzerland in 1847 to the United States,[3] he launched a new life in the importing business.

He ultimately made his fortune (one of the largest of the 19th century) through business ventures in mining and smelting, mostly in the United States.

As his several sons grew up, they assumed leading roles in the family mining and smelting business.

[4] Guggenheim met Barbara Weil (1834–1900), the daughter of his new stepmother, and married her four years later around 1852.