The rise and fall of the 'Greatest Show on Earth' and the Ringling family's circus empire - Business Insider

The Ringling Bros. founded their circus in the late 1800s and later combined it with the Barnum & Bailey Circus to form the "Greatest Show on Earth."

The rise and fall of the Ringling empire follows seven brothers and one sister through the heyday of the Roaring Twenties to financial downfall during the Great Depression. 'Circus King' John Ringling — formerly ranked among the wealthiest people in the world — died with just $311 in his bank account. His estate, including a Venetian palazzo and expansive art collection, was appraised at $23.5 million.

The Ringling brothers' parents moved to Baraboo, Wisconsin, in 1855. The small town would later become the circus headquarters.According to their grandson's memoir, August Rüngeling and Marie Salóme Juliar met in Milwaukee in 1852 and briefly lived in Chicago before moving to Baraboo, Wisconsin. August Rüngeling worked as a saddle and harness maker, and his family — who emigrated from Germany —The Ringlings moved around the Midwest during the early years of their marriage.

After spending a few years supporting both the family business and their own individual pursuits, the Ringling brothers joined together in 1882 to put on a show called"Ringling Bros. Classic and Comic Concert Co." The production earned just $13, while the costs to run the show totaled $25.90. While not all of his uncles lived long enough to enjoy the massive fortune, several — especially John and Charles — were able to spend their riches on large homes, yachts, and luxury vehicles.

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