W. Michael Blumenthal

Werner Michael Blumenthal, born on January 3, 1926, is a German‑American economist and business executive who served as the United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1977 to 1979 under President Jimmy Carter. Prior to his cabinet appointment he held senior positions in the administrations of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson. After leaving government service, Blumenthal led major technology firms and served as director of the Jewish Museum Berlin for seventeen years. He is also an author, having published several works that reflect on his life experiences and public service.

Early life and career

Blumenthal was born in Oranienburg, a town in what was then the Weimar Republic. His parents, Rose Valerie (née Markt) and Ewald Blumenthal, ran a modest dress shop that had been family‑owned for generations. The rise of the Nazi regime and the enactment of the Nuremberg Laws in 1935 placed the family at increasing risk due to their Jewish heritage. In November 1938, during Kristallnacht, the Blumenthals witnessed violent attacks against Jewish businesses and institutions; their father was arrested by Gestapo agents without stated reason and later sent to Buchenwald concentration camp. His mother managed to secure his release through a combination of negotiation and financial sacrifice.

In 1939, with the outbreak of World War II imminent, the family fled Germany aboard a freighter bound for Shanghai, China—a city that did not require visas for Jewish refugees at that time. The journey took them through several ports of the British Empire, none of which would accept Jewish immigrants. Upon arrival in Shanghai, they initially settled in the French Concession but were later forced to live in the Shanghai Ghetto from 1943 until 1947 under Japanese occupation. During this period Blumenthal endured severe poverty and hardship; he worked as a cleaner at a chemical factory earning one dollar per week, which he used to support his family.

After the war ended and American forces entered Shanghai in 1945, Blumenthal found employment with the U.S. Air Force as a warehouse helper, leveraging his language skills. In 1947 he and his sister received visas to the United States and settled in San Francisco with only $200 between them. He began working various odd jobs—truck driver, night elevator operator, busboy, movie‑theater ticket taker, armored guard, and wax factory worker—to support himself while pursuing higher education.

Blumenthal enrolled at San Francisco City College, where he worked part‑time to finance his studies. He later transferred to the University of California, Berkeley, graduating Phi Beta Kappa with a degree in international economics. He continued his academic pursuits at Princeton University, obtaining another degree in the same field. His educational background laid the foundation for his subsequent career in both business and public service.

Blumenthal’s early professional life included roles within the federal government during the administrations of Presidents Kennedy and Johnson. While specific titles are not detailed here, he held senior positions that involved economic policy work and advisory responsibilities. These experiences positioned him for a future cabinet appointment.

Cabinet tenure

In 1977 President Jimmy Carter nominated Blumenthal to serve as Secretary of the Treasury. The United States Senate confirmed his nomination; however, no specific vote tally is provided in the available records. As Treasury Secretary, Blumenthal was responsible for guiding national economic policy during a period marked by inflationary pressures and international financial challenges. He also participated in efforts to re‑establish diplomatic and economic ties with China, contributing to broader foreign policy objectives of the Carter administration.

Blumenthal’s tenure lasted until 1979, after which he resigned from the position. His service as Treasury Secretary remains a notable chapter in his public career, reflecting both his expertise in economics and his experience in federal government operations.

Legacy

Following his departure from cabinet office, Blumenthal transitioned to leadership roles in the private sector. He served as chairman and chief executive officer of Burroughs Corporation and later Unisys, two prominent technology companies. His tenure in these positions underscored his continued influence on American business practices and technological development.

In addition to his corporate responsibilities, Blumenthal devoted significant time to cultural and historical preservation. For seventeen years he held the position of director at the Jewish Museum Berlin, an institution dedicated to documenting Jewish history and culture within Germany. His stewardship helped shape the museum’s direction and outreach during a critical period of post‑war reconciliation.

Blumenthal is also a published author. He wrote *The Invisible Wall* (1998), *From Exile to Washington: A Memoir of Leadership in the Twentieth Century* (2013), and *The Payday Conspiracy: A Berlin Noir* (2024). These works draw upon his personal experiences—from exile in Shanghai to service in Washington, D.C.—and provide insight into the intersections of economics, politics, and identity.

As of the latest available information, Blumenthal holds the distinction of being the oldest living former United States cabinet member. His life story encapsulates a trajectory from refugee survival to national leadership, reflecting broader themes of resilience, public service, and cross‑cultural engagement.