Alfred Herrhausen

Alfred Herrhausen was a prominent German banker and economist who served as the chairman of the Deutsche Bank board of directors from 1985 until his death in 1989. He was a key figure in European finance and played a significant role in shaping the European Monetary System and the European Union. Herrhausen was also a strong advocate for German reunification and worked closely with Helmut Kohl, the Chancellor of Germany at the time. His life and career were closely tied to the Deutsche Bank, where he worked with notable figures such as Hilmar Kopper and Josef Ackermann.

● Early Life and Education

Alfred Herrhausen was born in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany to a family of Protestant entrepreneurs. He studied economics at the University of Göttingen and later at the University of Münster, where he earned his Ph.D. in economics under the supervision of Fritz Walter. Herrhausen's academic background and research focused on monetary policy and international trade, which would later influence his work at the Deutsche Bank. He was also influenced by the works of notable economists such as John Maynard Keynes and Milton Friedman, and was a member of the Mont Pelerin Society.

● Career

Herrhausen began his career at the Deutsche Bank in 1955, working his way up the ranks to become a member of the board of directors in 1970. He played a key role in shaping the bank's international strategy and was instrumental in establishing the Deutsche Bank as a major player in global finance. Herrhausen worked closely with other notable bankers such as Willi Kredel and Rolf-Ernst Breuer, and was a strong advocate for European integration and the creation of a single European currency. He was also a member of the Bilderberg Group and attended meetings of the Trilateral Commission.

● Assassination

On November 30, 1989, Alfred Herrhausen was assassinated in Bad Homburg, Hesse, Germany by a bomb planted by the Red Army Faction (RAF), a left-wing terrorist group. The assassination was a major shock to the German financial community and led to a significant increase in security measures for high-profile targets. The Red Army Faction claimed responsibility for the attack, citing Herrhausen's role in shaping European economic policy and his support for German reunification. The assassination was widely condemned by leaders such as Helmut Kohl, François Mitterrand, and Margaret Thatcher.

● Legacy

Alfred Herrhausen's legacy is still felt in the European financial sector today. He played a key role in shaping the European Monetary System and was a strong advocate for European integration. Herrhausen's work at the Deutsche Bank helped establish the bank as a major player in global finance, and his influence can still be seen in the bank's international strategy. He was also a member of the European Round Table of Industrialists and worked closely with other notable business leaders such as Karl Gerold and Hans-Olaf Henkel. Herrhausen's legacy continues to be celebrated by organizations such as the Alfred Herrhausen Society, which was established in his honor.

● Personal Life

Alfred Herrhausen was married to Barbara Herrhausen and had two children, Christoph Herrhausen and Andrea Herrhausen. He was a private person who kept a low public profile, but was known for his strong convictions and his commitment to European integration. Herrhausen was also a member of the German Council on Foreign Relations and attended meetings of the World Economic Forum. He was a strong supporter of the Arts and was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Deutsche Oper Berlin. Herrhausen's personal life was also influenced by his relationships with notable figures such as Otto Graf Lambsdorff and Hans-Dietrich Genscher. Category:German bankers