Felix Rohatyn Dies at Age 91
Posted on 12/16/2019
Felix George Rohatyn died at the age of 91 on December 14, 2019. Nicolas Rohatyn, the son of Felix, said the cause of death was “simply old age.”
Born in Vienna in 1928 and fleeing Nazi-occupied France with his family in 1940, Rohatyn was well-known in investment banking circles and Democrat party political circles. Felix Rohatyn rose to the highest levels at investment banking firm Lazard, which was formerly known as Lazard Freres.
Rohatyn was appointed as Chairman of the Municipal Assistance Corporation in 1975. He held that position until 1993. Rohatyn helped steer New York City away from bankruptcy and introduced reforms such as wage freezes for municipal workers and charging tuition at the City University of New York.
U.S. President Bill Clinton wanted Rohatyn to serve as Vice Chairman of the Federal Reserve in 1996, but Rohatyn withdrew ending up getting an ambassador post to France from 1997 to 2000.