Hans Tietmeyer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hans Tietmeyer
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Hans Tietmeyer and Helmut Schlesinger
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| 5th President of the German Bundesbank | |
| In office 1 October 1993 – 31 August 1999 |
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| Preceded by | Helmut Schlesinger |
| Succeeded by | Ernst Welteke |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 August 1931 Metelen, Province of Westphalia |
| Died | 27 December 2016 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | German |
| Alma mater | University of Münster University of Bonn University of Cologne |
Hans Tietmeyer (born August 18, 1931 – died December 27, 2016) was a very important German economist. He was known as a top expert in money matters around the world. From 1993 to 1999, he was the president of the Deutsche Bundesbank, which is Germany's central bank. After that, he continued to be a key person in the financial world of the European Union.
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Hans Tietmeyer's Early Life
Hans Tietmeyer was born on August 18, 1931, in Metelen, a town in Westphalia, Germany. He was the second of 11 children in a Roman Catholic family. He went to Gymnasium Paulinum for school. At first, he studied religion, but then he changed to study economics. He went to three different universities: the University of Münster, University of Bonn, and University of Cologne. Besides his studies, Hans was also a talented table tennis player and won medals in national championships!
His Career in Government and Finance
Starting in Economics and Politics
In 1962, Hans Tietmeyer began his career in the Federal Ministry of Economics. This ministry helps manage Germany's economy. He worked closely with the economics minister, Otto Graf Lambsdorff. Hans helped write important reports about the government's economic plans.
Later, when Helmut Kohl became the new leader of Germany in 1982, Tietmeyer became a top official. He worked in the Ministry of Finance. Here, he was in charge of international money policies and matters related to the European Union. He also helped prepare for big meetings like the World Economic Summit, where world leaders discuss important economic issues.
Working at the Bundesbank
In 1990, Hans Tietmeyer joined the Board of Directors of the Deutsche Bundesbank. This is Germany's central bank, which helps keep the country's money stable. He was responsible for international money issues. After two years, he became the Vice President. Then, in 1993, he became the President of the Bundesbank. He held this important job until August 1999.
Soon after becoming president, he also advised Chancellor Helmut Kohl on a very important topic: uniting East and West Germany's economies. This was a big step before the two parts of Germany became one country again.
The Euro and Its Impact
During Tietmeyer's time as president of the Bundesbank, a major change happened in Europe. The Euro currency was introduced for most countries in the European Union. This meant many countries would use the same money.
In January 1999, just before he retired, Hans Tietmeyer helped the Bundesbank join the European System of Central Banks. This new system manages the Euro for all participating countries. Tietmeyer had a strong opinion about the Euro. He predicted that countries with too much debt might face tough economic times. He believed they would need to make big changes to their economies. Years later, during the European sovereign-debt crisis around 2008, his predictions seemed to come true for some countries.
Hans Tietmeyer wrote over 100 articles about economics. He also received many awards and was a member of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, a group that advises the Pope on social issues.
Later Years and Other Roles
After leaving the Bundesbank, Hans Tietmeyer continued to be active. From 2000 to 2009, he was the President of the EBS University of Business and Law.
He also served as Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) from 2003 to 2010. This bank helps central banks around the world work together.
Hans Tietmeyer also held positions on the boards of several other organizations, including:
- Hauck & Aufhäuser, a private bank
- Depfa Bank
- Catholic University of Eichstätt-Ingolstadt
- German Federal Environmental Foundation (DBU)
- German Doctors for Developing Countries, a charity that sends doctors to help people in need
- Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences
Personal Life
Hans Tietmeyer was married twice. He first married Marie-Luise Flossdorf, and they had two children. After she passed away in 1978, he married Marie-Therese Kalff.
