Alan Greenspan, one of the most powerful economists in American history, was known not only for his decades-long command of the U.S. Federal Reserve but also for his deeply personal love story with veteran NBC News journalist Andrea Mitchell. On June 22, 2026, Mitchell confirmed that Greenspan had passed away at the age of 100 — and it was her heartfelt statement to the world that reminded everyone just how remarkable their bond truly was.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ KEY POINTS SUMMARY ║ ║ ║ ║ • Alan Greenspan’s wife: Andrea Mitchell (NBC News) ║ ║ • Married: April 6, 1997 ║ ║ • Officiated by: Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg ║ ║ • Together since: 1984 (13 years before marrying) ║ ║ • First marriage: Joan Mitchell, annulled 1952 ║ ║ • Greenspan passed away: June 22, 2026, age 100 ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
Who Was Alan Greenspan Married To?
Alan Greenspan was married to Andrea Mitchell, the longtime NBC News chief foreign affairs and Washington correspondent. The two wed on April 6, 1997, in a ceremony held at The Inn at Little Washington, a five-star hotel in Washington, Virginia. Their union lasted nearly 29 years, until Greenspan’s death on June 22, 2026.
Mitchell, born October 30, 1946, is one of the most respected journalists in American television history. She earned a Lifetime Achievement Emmy in 2019 for her decades of reporting on politics and world affairs.
How Did Alan Greenspan and Andrea Mitchell Meet?
The couple’s love story began long before they walked down the aisle. Greenspan and Mitchell first met in 1984, when Ronald Reagan was president of the United States. Shortly after their introduction, Greenspan reportedly invited Mitchell to his apartment to read a manuscript he was working on — and what began as a professional connection quickly blossomed into romance.
Despite a notable 20-year age difference — Greenspan was 58 and Mitchell was 38 when they began dating — their relationship stood the test of time. They dated for 13 years before finally tying the knot in 1997.
Their Wedding: Ruth Bader Ginsburg Officiated
Their 1997 wedding was as distinguished as the couple themselves. The ceremony was officiated by Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, making it one of the most notable private ceremonies in Washington political circles. After the wedding, Greenspan famously told PEOPLE magazine: “I intend to make her happy, and I will succeed.”
In her 2005 memoir Talking Back, Mitchell described Greenspan as her biggest supporter — someone who always told her, “your work comes first.”
Andrea Mitchell on Their Relationship
Mitchell frequently spoke of Greenspan with deep affection. On the day of his death, she released a moving statement that captured the depth of their bond. She said that Greenspan had shaped her life from their very first date in 1984 and praised his passions outside of economics — including baseball, tennis, golf, and jazz music.
Alan Greenspan’s First Marriage: Joan Mitchell
Before Andrea, Greenspan had one previous marriage. He wed Joan Mitchell, a Canadian painter (not to be confused with the famous abstract expressionist of the same name), in 1952. That marriage was brief — the union was annulled just 10 months later in 1953. It was actually through Joan Mitchell that Greenspan was introduced to the philosopher and novelist Ayn Rand, who would go on to heavily influence his economic worldview.
Barbara Walters: A Notable Romance in Between
Between his first marriage and his relationship with Andrea Mitchell, Greenspan was romantically linked to Barbara Walters, the iconic television journalist. The two dated in the late 1970s and were a well-known Washington couple. They eventually parted ways but remained friends throughout the years.
Alan Greenspan Passes Away at 100 — June 22, 2026
On the morning of June 22, 2026, Andrea Mitchell announced that her husband had died at their home from complications of Parkinson’s disease. He was 100 years old.
In her statement, Mitchell called him “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.” She added: “Being his life partner was the joy of my life.”
Greenspan served as chairman of the Federal Reserve from 1987 to 2006, spanning the administrations of Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. His 18.5-year tenure is the second longest in the history of the Federal Reserve.
A Legacy Defined by Two Worlds
Alan Greenspan will be remembered as the “Maestro” and “Oracle” of American economic policy — and also as a devoted husband to one of the most celebrated journalists in Washington. Andrea Mitchell survives him. The couple had no children together.
Their story is a reminder that even behind the most consequential economic decisions of modern times, there was a very human love story: a long courtship, a ceremony overseen by a Supreme Court Justice, and a partnership that endured for nearly three decades.
If you knew about Alan Greenspan or Andrea Mitchell’s remarkable story, drop a comment below and share your thoughts — and stay with us for the latest tributes and updates as the nation remembers a true titan of American history.