Former United States Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan has died at the age of 100, his wife, veteran NBC News journalist Andrea Mitchell, has confirmed.
In a statement, Mitchell said Greenspan died from complications related to Parkinson’s disease. She described him as “a giant of a man who helped shape the US economy for decades under presidents of both parties, but was always honest in acknowledging his mistakes.
”Greenspan served as chairman of the Federal Reserve, America’s central bank, from 1987 to 2006, making him one of the most influential economic policymakers in modern history. During his nearly two-decade tenure, he oversaw one of the longest periods of economic expansion in US history and became widely regarded as a key architect of the modern American economy.
The Federal Reserve paid tribute to its former chairman, saying his policies and economic thinking left a lasting impact on the institution, the field of economics and the nation as a whole.
“Alan Greenspan brought rigorous analytical discipline to monetary policymaking and helped establish the credibility that remains one of the Federal Reserve’s most important assets,” the Fed said in a statement.
Born in New York City on March 6, 1926, Greenspan initially pursued a career in music, studying clarinet at the prestigious Juilliard School and performing with jazz musicians before turning to economics. He later earned a degree from New York University and built a successful career as an economic consultant.
His rise in public service began when he advised Richard Nixon during the 1968 presidential campaign before serving as chairman of the Council of Economic Advisers. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan appointed him chairman of the Federal Reserve.Greenspan’s leadership was tested almost immediately by the 1987 stock market crash.
His handling of the crisis earned widespread praise and established his reputation as a steady hand during periods of financial turbulence.Throughout his tenure, he guided the US economy through major events, including the Gulf War, the Asian financial crisis, the dot-com boom and bust, and the aftermath of the September 11 attacks.
However, his legacy remains debated. Critics argued that prolonged low interest rates and his support for minimal financial regulation contributed to the housing bubble and the 2008 global financial crisis. In later years, Greenspan acknowledged flaws in his belief that financial institutions could effectively regulate themselves.
“I have found a flaw,” he famously told Congress in 2008, admitting that the financial crisis had challenged his long-held free-market views. Away from economics, Greenspan was known for his passion for tennis and his interest in public affairs. He married Andrea Mitchell in 1997 and remained an active commentator on economic issues well into his late 90s.
Greenspan received numerous honours during his lifetime, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and an honorary knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II.
He celebrated his 100th birthday in March 2026 and leaves behind a legacy that continues to influence economic policy around the world.
