On This Day

Ben Bernanke

Economist and Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke

Profession: Economist and Chairman of the Federal Reserve

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Why Famous: Chairman of the Federal Reserve during the Financial crisis of 2007–08.

As chairman, Bernanke supported the bailout of failing financial institutions in 2008, including the takeover of Bear Stearns by JPMorgan Chase and the $85 billion bailout of A.I.G.

During his tenure the Federal Reserve took unprecedented steps to implement quantitative easing, a process whereby the central bank purchased billions of dollars of mortgage-backed securities and long-term treasuries to stimulate economic growth.

Born: December 13, 1953
Birthplace: Augusta, Georgia, USA
Age: 65 years old

Generation: Baby Boomer
Chinese Zodiac: Snake
Star Sign: Sagittarius

Married Life

  • 1978-05-29 Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke (24) weds school teacher Anna Friedmann

Events in the Life of Ben Bernanke

  • 2006-02-01 Economist Ben Bernanke becomes chairman of the US Federal Reserve, succeeding Alan Greenspan
  • 2009-12-16 Ben Bernanke, Chair of the US Federal Reserve is named Time's Person of the Year for rescuing the global economy from the Great Recession
  • 2014-02-01 Janet Yellen becomes Chair of the US Federal Reserve, succeeding Ben Bernanke

Famous Economists

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