Former U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Alan Greenspan Dies at 100

June 22 () — Former Chairman of the United States Federal Reserve, Alan Greenspan, has died at the age of 100, his wife confirmed on Monday.

A statement by his wife, Andrea Mitchell disclosed that Greenspan passed away at his home from complications related to Parkinson’s disease.

Greenspan, one of the most influential central bankers in modern economic history, led the U.S. Federal Reserve through nearly two decades of major financial transformations, including periods of strong economic expansion, financial market turbulence, and structural shifts in global finance.

He became the 13th Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System in 1987, appointed by then-President Ronald Reagan.

He would go on to serve under four U.S. presidents including Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, before leaving office in 2006.

During his tenure, Greenspan earned a reputation as a pragmatic technocrat who prioritised price stability and market confidence.

He played a central role in ensuring liquidity in financial markets after the 1987 crash, a move widely credited with restoring investor confidence and stabilising global markets.

He is widely remembered for steering the U.S. economy through landmark events such as the 1987 stock market crash known as “Black Monday”, the dotcom bubble, and the economic shocks that followed the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

Born in New York City on March 6, 1926, Greenspan initially pursued music and studied at the Juilliard School before transitioning to economics at New York University.

He later earned advanced degrees in economics and developed a career that combined academic work, private consultancy, and public service.

Before he was appointed Fed chair, he chaired the President’s Council of Economic Advisers under President Gerald Ford and served on various economic advisory boards, building a reputation as a trusted economic strategist in Washington.

Following his retirement from the Federal Reserve, Greenspan founded an economic consulting firm in Washington, D.C., advising major global financial institutions.

His influence continued to be felt in global economic discourse long after leaving public office.

In 2005, he was awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of his contributions to economic policy and financial stability.