Where did Jerome get his money?

[Agathological]

The TV Series and books both suggest that Jerome and Esme are independently wealthy.

The TV Series seems to deviate from the book as to who owns 667 Dark Avenue; in the books Jerome owns it before his marriage to Esme. The TV series seems to imply that they own it together, or that he lives with Esme as he does not know what is in every room of the apartment and he states that he is not allowed in certain rooms (this could just be a result of his 'hen-pecked' nature.

Esme in the TV series states that she got her money from inheritance and by her work as the City's Six Most Important Financial Adviser.  

It is not stated how Jerome got his money however. 

The nature of V.F.D. seems to be that they recruit wealthy people to help to the cause and, if you follow the Snicket Sleuth, Jerome was once attempted to be recruited on the hike to Mount Fraught, which ended when Beatrice was caught by an eagle and Jerome was therefore not considered a candidate thereafter.

I find this odd, since if he is wealthy, he would have been recruited besides this, or had another initiation well before the Penultimate Peril when he joins and writes Odious Lusting After Finance.


Therefore I ask, do you think that Jerome is wealthy and where do you think he got his money from? 

[Dante]

It is reasonably clear in canon that Jerome is independently wealthy, and likely extravagantly so, given that he purchased 667 Dark Avenue's highly desirable penthouse apartment purely as an unexplained favour for a friend - and also takes breakfast every morning at the presumably fairly upmarket Veritable French Diner. There is no evidence that the source of his wealth is a mystery or interesting. There is no evidence as to when he acquired his wealth.

[gothicarchiesfan]

Perhaps he was actually quite poor until the V.F.D. built their Peruvian headquarters, making his Peruvian wasp repellent, toothbrush, canned peach, and fireproof canoe stocks go through the roof. 

[bear]

by being a jew

[Esmé's meme is meh]

May 9, 2018 16:16:49 GMT -5 bear said:

by being a jew

[Seymour Glass]

In my headcanon, he inherited it. Then he made investments.

[Foxy]

I think he probably worked for his money - maybe on the Snicket equivalent of Wall Street? There are some days where Jerome is at home, and the book never really says his job, so what types of jobs pay a lot of money but have convenient hours or give you a day off during the week? Or maybe Jerome is an author?

Yes, that is what I am deciding on. This would explain the flexibility of his schedule, and his eating breakfast at a diner every morning (where he could presumably work, as well).

[colette]

I think Jerome inherited it. I don't believe in Jerome being 1st generation rich. It doesn't fit his personality at all in my opinion.

[Hermes]

I agree with this. He may still run his family company (at least nominally), of course.