Biography
W. Michael Blumenthal
Former Secretary of the Treasury (1977–79). Since arriving in the U.S. as an immigrant in 1947, he has built a varied career in academia, public service, finance, business, and the arts.
1926–52
Early life
From Berlin to Shanghai to America
Born in Oranienburg, Germany, in 1926, Blumenthal grew up in Berlin. After his father was imprisoned at Buchenwald, the family escaped Nazi Germany for Shanghai in 1939, when he was 13. He remained there until 1947, surviving the Holocaust as a refugee.
He arrived in the United States as an immigrant in 1947 and became a U.S. citizen in 1952. He is married to the former Barbara Bennett and is the father of four children.
1953–61
Education and early career
Berkeley, Princeton, and industry
Blumenthal earned a B.Sc. in Economics at the University of California, Berkeley, and his graduate degrees in International Economics (M.P.A., M.A., and Ph.D.) at Princeton University, awarded in 1953 and 1956.
He was on the Princeton faculty from 1954 to 1957, then served as Vice President of Crown Cork International Corp. from 1957 to 1961.
1961–67
Public service
Diplomacy and trade
From 1961 to 1963 he was Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Economics.
From 1963 to 1967 he served as U.S. Ambassador and Chief U.S. Trade Negotiator in Geneva. His years in the State Department spanned the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.
1967–77
Business
Bendix Corporation
Blumenthal joined Bendix International in 1967 and became Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the parent company, the Bendix Corporation, in 1972, serving through 1977.
1977–79
Cabinet
64th Secretary of the Treasury
Blumenthal served as the 64th Secretary of the Treasury of the United States under President Jimmy Carter, from 1977 to 1979.
1980–89
Business and finance
Burroughs (Unisys)
From 1980 to 1989 he was Chairman and CEO of Burroughs Corporation. Following its merger with Sperry, he served as chairman and CEO of the combined company, Unisys.
1990–97
Business and finance
Limited Partner, Lazard Frères
From 1990 to 1997 he worked as an investment banker at Lazard Frères.
1997–2014
The arts
Founding Director, Jewish Museum Berlin
From 1997 to 2014, Blumenthal was the founding director and chief executive of the Jewish Museum Berlin, returning to the country he fled as a young man.
Boards & affiliations
Institutions he has served.
Over the years Blumenthal has served on the boards of leading corporations, NGOs, foundations, and universities, including:
- Rockefeller Foundation
- Princeton University, Charter Trustee
- Humboldt University, Berlin
- Council on Foreign Relations
- Trilateral Commission, Business Council
- National Committee on U.S.–China Relations, Chairman
Honors & awards
Recognized at home and abroad.
Blumenthal has received numerous honorary degrees from major U.S. universities, along with:
- Grand Cross of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
- Honorary citizen of Berlin
- Lucius Clay Medal
- Horatio Alger Award (1980)
- Goethe Medal
- Mendelssohn Bartholdy Medal
- Princeton University Madison Medal for distinguished public service
- Honorary degrees from major U.S. universities
Today
Still at it, at 100.
Blumenthal turned 100 in 2026 and is the oldest living former U.S. cabinet officer. He is in demand as a public speaker and maintains an active schedule of writing, lectures, and U.S. and international travel.