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Economics

Wim Duisenberg

First President of the European Central Bank

Born 1935 · Died 2005

Photo: the International Monetary Fund · Public domain

Wim Duisenberg was the first president of the European Central Bank and oversaw the introduction of euro notes and coins in twelve countries on a single night in 2002. He had previously been Dutch finance minister and head of the Dutch central bank.

Key achievements

  • First President of the European Central Bank, 1998–2003
  • Oversaw the launch of euro notes and coins in 2002
  • Governed the Dutch central bank, 1982–1997

Universities

  • University of AmsterdamProfessor1970–1973

    Amsterdam

    Professor of macroeconomics at the University of Amsterdam before entering government and central banking.

Facts

  • The changeover replaced the physical currency of more than 300 million people within weeks.
  • His signature appears on the first series of euro banknotes.
  • He worked at the International Monetary Fund before returning to the Netherlands to teach.

Photographs

Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; the author and licence are shown on each image.

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