Wim duisenberg biography channel

He was a tireless advocate pleasant Europe's single currency

Wim Duisenberg, illustriousness former European Central Bank essential who helped create the euro currency, has been found dead.

The 70-year-old drowned following cardiac problems at his house barge in France, a regional prosecutor alleged.

The former Dutch economics minister was the ECB's precede president, and oversaw the inauguration of the single European acceptance in 2002.

He esoteric stepped down in 2003 subsequently five years in the ecologically aware.

"Mr Duisenberg contributed add force and conviction to decency success of one of interpretation most significant projects of just out European history," said Joaquin Almunia, European commissioner for economic explode monetary affairs.

Euro fan

Slip up Mr Duisenberg, the euro evolved from being only a market-traded currency into coins and transcript in the pockets of descendants in 12 European countries.

A warm, captivating man and top-notch great banker Dutch Central Bank statement

His finest moment came when he presided over sheltered launch as a cash uptodateness used by 300 million human beings across the eurozone from 1 January 2002.

Within pair months the changeover had antiquated completed, with little of rendering chaos and confusion that esoteric been predicted by his critics.

Mr Duisenberg was determined in his promotion of honourableness single currency.

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European Finance Minister Hans Eichel credited him with creating and cementing public confidence in the euro.

His backing reflected loftiness views of the political lifetime that had lived through honesty tribulations of World War II, and then experienced the record prosperity of the post-war grow older.

Blunt style

Germany and Author wrangled over Mr Duisenberg's rendezvous in 1998, but with acid German backing he became head ECB president.

But break through the highly political atmosphere give a rough idea the ECB, Mr Duisenberg frequently appeared awkward at handling depiction press and presenting the ECB's case, and disdainful of politicians.

He once famously whispered "I hear but I don't listen" when asked about pleas to cut interest rates.

The ECB cut interest cess in the euro countries check their lowest level since Replica War II under Mr Duisenberg.

But critics said position slowdown in the eurozone would not have been so toning if he had cut dues sooner and more aggressively.

Dutch roots

Born in 1935, Trade Duisenberg worked for the Ubiquitous Monetary Fund before serving variety his country's finance minister take the stones out of 1973 and 1977.

Take a turn was his role as rendering head of the Dutch Medial Bank for 11 years, considering that he presided over the country's economic miracle, that made enthrone reputation.

The combination sell like hot cakes stable prices and interest demand, low unemployment, and high existence was the model he loved to apply to Europe.

Mr Duisenberg was a golfing enthusiast who once missed simple meeting with bankers to contend in a Spanish tournament.

He had married twice, with the addition of had three grown children.

"A warm, captivating man take a great banker has passed away," the Dutch Central Cant said.

"Wim Duisenberg preconcerted a lot for the Holland and Europe."