Nelson Rockefeller was one of the richest men of his time. He headed a large family, consisting of magnates, businessmen, politicians. Nelson took an active part in the political life of the United States of America and had a significant influence on it.
His figure is still the subject of various discussions and disputes.
Youth
Nelson Rockefeller was born July 8, 1908 in Maine to a prominent family. His grandfather was the legendary John Rockefeller. It was he who was involved in the education of Nelson. Since childhood, the guy was fond of science and self-development. He graduated from high school with good grades. After reaching adulthood, he became interested in architecture. Nelson wanted to dedicate his life to his beloved craft. But the family was against it.
Family
The Rockefeller family is the richest in the world. Almost all members have a huge fortune. The family is more like a community. Its oldest member is the head. The head makes important decisions and distributes obligations. The family business is closely connected between all participants. Therefore, Nelson's grandfather could not allow him to become an architect, because he believed that one could not earn a lot of money from creativity. But there was another reason.
For the richest family, money did not play a major role. One of the most important points is influence. For example, an architect may have a great fortune through his work, but he will not have any influence on public life. But oil tycoons or bankers are always closely connected with politics.
Career start
Therefore, already in the 30s, Nelson Rockefeller began his banking career. He cooperates with banks in America, France, England. Quite quickly becomes a successful financier. His influence is spreading. At the same time, Nelson does not give up his passion for architecture. In a few years, the banker becomes a significant figure not only in the American market, but also in his family. Grandfather supports him in every possible way and prepares him for the leadership of the family after his death. Already at a relatively young age (as for a financier), Nelson Rockefeller is increasingly appearing on the front pages of the American press. Banker quotes are becoming popular among the people. For example, his saying "This is my wall".
Rockefeller Wall
In the early 30s, John Rockefeller plans to build "Rockefeller Center". A complex of buildings that would become a kind of family office. This was necessary for the systematization and centralization of family affairs. Since every year the family tree became larger, the range of activities also increased. And for the family to act as a single entity, and a "center" was invented. Another function of this institution was to conduct work with the public. The Rockefellers created several charitable foundations. Invested in science and social institutions. To design the building, John chose his grandson to encourage his longstanding passion for architecture. Together with a group of engineers, Nelson Rockefeller created a model of the center, which was subsequently built. For the cladding of the outer wall, Nelson decided to hire the artist Diego Rivere. His work has already become famous all over the world.
But Diego was a supporter of the far left and, to put it mildly, did not like people like the Rockefellers. Therefore, he added one addition to his work - the image of Lenin. Upon completion of the cladding, this news excited the public. Left activists admired Diego, who was able not only to "spit" in the face of the magnate, but also get his own money for it.
Nelson forced the artist to remove the image of the "Leader of the Nations", but he refused to do so. After that, the banker said in a rage: "This is my wall" - and ordered to destroy everything that Diego painted. The phrase was leaked to the media and became a kind of saying in the US.
Beginning of political activity
By the age of 40, Nelson Rockefeller goes into politics. Using his connections and family influence, he quickly takes one of the key positions in the Republican Party. Works as Deputy Minister under Eisenhower. Prior to that, he held various positions in the Roosevelt and Truman governments.
In the 60s, the political career goes up sharply. Nelson is elected governor of New York. I was able to win bignumber of fans among moderate Republicans. Expands its charitable activities. He tries to go further and appeals to the leadership of the party with a request to nominate him as a candidate for the presidency, but every time he is denied this. In addition to fans, Nelson had a huge number of enemies. People of democratic, and especially left, views believed that the fact of Rockefeller's high position in the political hierarchy was the personification of a corrupt oligarchic regime. Protests are becoming more frequent in order to dismiss the governor. It is for this reason that the Republicans did not dare to nominate the figure of a magnate for the presidency.
Nelson Rockefeller: biography. Peak career
After that, he still managed to get a seat in the White House. December 19, 1974 Rockefeller Nelson Aldrich is appointed Vice President of the United States. His activities have repeatedly caused a flurry of criticism. Supporters of conspiracy theories accused Nelson of working for supranational structures that allegedly seek to control the world. After 2 years, Nelson was at the center of a scandal.
In the US, at that time, various pacifist organizations were on the rise. At one of the rallies, when the vice president was speaking from the podium, the hippies began to disrupt his speech. The politician drew attention to them and decided to make fun of them, to which they answered him in kind. Nelson Rockefeller was the first to fail. The photo of him showing the middle finger to the crowd has been all over the pages of American newspapers.
