Alan Greenspan, the historic former head of the US Federal Reserve, dies at the age of 100

Alan Greenspan, the economist who for nearly two decades led the monetary policy of the United States and is regarded as one of the most influential names in the modern history of finance, has died at the age of 100.

His death was confirmed by his wife, Andrea Mitchell, who said that Greenspan passed away at their home due to complications caused by Parkinson’s disease.

“Alan died at our home this morning at the age of 100 from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was a giant who helped shape the American economy for decades under presidents of both parties, but he was always honest in acknowledging his mistakes,” Mitchell said.

In 1987, Ronald Reagan appointed Greenspan to lead the US Federal Reserve, a position he held until 2006. Over the course of five terms, he worked with four American presidents and became one of the key figures in the global economy.

His time in office coincided with one of the longest periods of economic expansion in American history, from 1991 to 2001. For many years, he was seen as the man who gave financial markets confidence and who directly influenced the direction of the US economy.

However, his legacy also became part of the controversies that followed the global financial crisis of 2007-2008. According to critics, some of the policies he pursued helped create the conditions that led to the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

In addition to his role in finance, Greenspan had another, lesser-known side. At a young age, he studied clarinet at the prestigious Juilliard School and, before dedicating himself to economics, played saxophone in a musical group.

He was also known for his unusual communication style. One of his best-known remarks was: “If I seem unduly clear to you, you must have misunderstood what I said.”

After completing his term at the Federal Reserve, Greenspan published his memoir, for which he received an advance of 8.5 million dollars, one of the highest sums ever paid for a nonfiction book.

With the death of Alan Greenspan, the American economy loses one of the most important figures of the past 50 years, a man who left a direct mark on monetary policy, financial markets, and the economic development of the United States for nearly 20 years.