Alan Greenspan, who served five terms as chairman of the Federal Reserve, has died at age 100. He was widely seen as one of the figures who helped shape modern American capitalism, from the final years of the Cold War into the dawn of the digital era.
Greenspan led the U.S. central bank during one of the longest periods of economic expansion in American history. But critics argued that some of his decisions helped create the conditions that led to the 2008 financial crisis, especially his push to reduce regulation of the financial sector.
His wife, Andrea Mitchell, said he died at home on Monday morning from complications of Parkinson's disease. “Alan died this morning at home at the age of 100 from complications of Parkinson’s disease,” she said, adding, “He was a giant who helped shape the American economy for decades under presidents of both parties, while always remaining honest in acknowledging his mistakes.”