Longtime Fed chair Alan Greenspan dies at 100

Longtime Federal Reserve Chairman and economist Alan Greenspan has died from complications related to Parkinson's disease Monday at the age of 100.

Greenspan's wife, Andrea Mitchell, confirmed his death in a statement. He was at his home in Washington when he died.

"Alan passed away at our home this morning at the age of 100 from complications of Parkinson's disease," Mitchell said. "He was a giant of a man who helped shape the U.S. economy for decades under presidents of both parties, but was always honest in acknowledging his mistakes."

Born in New York City on March 6, 1926, Greenspan served five terms as the head of the Federal Reserve under four presidents from 1987 to 2006. He led the nation's monetary policy through broad deregulation of banking and Wall Street, a widening wealth gap, job loss and changing of the socioeconomic landscape post-Reagan.

Under his watch, the United States experienced an extended period of economic expansion, due in part to his maneuvering with federal interest rates. While he is credited in part with that sustained success, he also received criticism for his role in precipitating the Great Recession that began in the United States in December 2007.

"To me he was my husband who shaped my life from our very first date in 1984," Mitchell wrote. "He had 'irrational exuberance' for baseball, the Washington Commanders, tennis, golf and music, especially jazz. He will be remembered for his brilliance and his kindness. Being his partner was the joy of my life."

The Federal Reserve acknowledged Greenspan's passing Monday, saying his "contributions to monetary policy and economic thought left a lasting mark on this institution, on the broader field of economics, and on the country."