Alan Greenspan, one of the most influential and debated economic figures of the last half-century, has died at the age of 100.
Born on March 6, 1926, in New York, Greenspan served as chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, spanning the administrations of Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. He guided the nation’s monetary policy through major events including the 1987 stock market crash, the dot-com boom, and the economic aftermath of the September 11th attacks.
During much of the 1990s, Greenspan was celebrated as an economic mastermind, earning the nickname “The Maestro” for his ability to calm markets and steer the American economy through an era of growth and relatively low inflation. His often cryptic public statements became legendary among investors and economists alike.
His legacy became more complicated following the 2008 financial crisis; however, as critics argued that his long-standing support for deregulation and his confidence in financial markets helped create conditions that contributed to the housing bubble and subsequent collapse. Greenspan later acknowledged flaws in some of his assumptions about the ability of markets to regulate themselves.
Greenspan died on June 22, 2026, in Washington, D.C. According to reports, he died from complications related to Parkinson’s disease.
Whether remembered as an economic genius, a policymaker whose influence outlived his tenure, or a symbol of both Wall Street optimism and its excesses, Alan Greenspan leaves behind a legacy that will continue to be studied for generations.