Benjamin Lee Guinness’s death is the catalyst for Netflix’s House of Guinness, leading to questions about how the incident transpired. The history of the Guinness family and the famous brewing company dates back to the 1700s, but the show picks up events in 1868 after Sir Benjamin Lee Guinness passes away. In truth, it’s not exactly known how Benjamin Lee Guinness died. Benjamin Lee Guinness’s grandfather who founded the Guinness brewery, Arthur Guinness, lived an even longer life, dying at the age of 77 in 1803. At 69, Benjamin Lee Guinness’s wealth and resources allowed him an extraordinary lifespan that many would be deeply resentful and envious of during this period.