Alan Greenspan, Long-Serving Former US Federal Reserve Chair, Dies at 100

Former United States Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, one of the most influential economists of the modern era, has died at the age of 100.

Greenspan died on Monday from complications related to Parkinson’s disease, according to his wife, veteran journalist Andrea Mitchell.

The economist led the U.S. Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, making him one of the longest-serving central bank chiefs in American history. During his nearly two decades at the helm, he guided the world’s largest economy through major events, including the 1987 stock market crash, the 1990s economic expansion, the Asian financial crisis, the dot-com boom, and the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Widely known by nicknames such as “The Maestro” and “The Oracle,” Greenspan was regarded as one of the most powerful figures in global finance, with investors and governments closely watching his statements for signals about interest rates and economic policy.

Born in 1926 in New York City, Greenspan initially pursued music before turning to economics. He later earned advanced degrees from New York University and built a career as an economic consultant before entering public service.

Greenspan was appointed chairman of the Federal Reserve by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan in 1987 and was subsequently reappointed by Presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

While praised for helping oversee a prolonged period of economic growth and low inflation, Greenspan’s legacy later became the subject of intense debate following the 2008 global financial crisis. Critics argued that his support for financial deregulation and low interest rates contributed to conditions that led to the housing market collapse and subsequent recession. Greenspan later acknowledged shortcomings in his belief that financial institutions could effectively regulate themselves.

Even after leaving office, Greenspan remained active in economic debates, publishing books, advising businesses and commenting on global financial issues. Earlier this year, he joined other former Federal Reserve leaders in defending the independence of the U.S. central bank.

His death marks the end of an era in American economic policymaking and closes the chapter on a figure whose influence shaped global markets for nearly two decades.