Michel (Michael) Heine

Michel (Michael) Heine (19 April 1819, Bordeaux – 30 January 1890, Paris) was a French banker and businessman.

Family

Heine emigrated to New Orleans, USA, where he married Marie Amélie von Miltenberg, born 25 May 1832 in New Orleans. Together with his brother Armand, they founded the famous Bankhaus Armand & Michel Heine in 1883, with Rothschild-Frères & Co. in Paris and New Orleans.

"Banque fould" and "Banque heine"

In 1795, Beer Leon Fould founded a bank whose name would change repeatedly, from B L Fould and Fould Oppenheim, to Fould Oppenheim und Co., and eventually to Fould Co. In 1883, Armand and Michel Heine, having previously been partners in Fould & Co, founded their family bank under their own names. The new enterprise became extremely successful.

The bank was already involved in numerous transactions in Spain under its old name, regarding investment in the railways. After the emergence of the US business and the end of the American Civil War, the growing business' opportunities in Europe extended.

Due to its French and German ties, and extensive network of branches in the Eastern Unites States of America, the bank was securely set up. In 1891 , the bank made a number of purchases, including the Panama Railway.

After the American Civil War, the Heines returned to France with their daughter Alice (who was 16 years old), and fitted successfully into society as realtors and architects. They also acquired a reputation as constructors for luxury villas in the style of French castles in and around Paris. Michel and Marie Amélie Heine lived in the Heine residence at 21, Rue Hoche in Paris. Michel invested in business, including in cotton, and supported the French regent Louis XVIII.

Michel Heine died in Paris; after their deaths, both Michel and Marie Amélie were buried in the family tomb in the cemetery at Richelieu.

External websites

* [http://www.genea-bdf.org/BasesDonnees/genealogies/heine.htm Genealogy of the Heine family (in French)]