Longtime guardian of Rockefeller empire dies at 101

and head of a sprawling network of family interests, both business and philanthropic.

Unlike his brothers Nelson, the governor of New York who was briefly vice president, and Winthrop, a governor of Arkansas, David Rockefeller wielded power and influence without seeking public office. Among his many accomplishments were spurring the project that led to the World Trade Center. Rockefeller was named Chase Manhattan’s president in 1961 and chairman and CEO eight years later. He retired in 1981 at age 65 after a 35-year career.

Under Rockefeller, Chase was the first U.S. bank to open offices in the Soviet Union and China.

In his early travels to South Africa, Rockefeller arranged clandestine meetings with several underground black leaders. “I find it terribly important to get overall impressions beyond those I get from businessmen,” he said.

But Rockefeller took a lot of heat for his bank’s substantial dealings with South Africa’s white regime and for helping the deposed, terminally ill Shah of Iran come to New York for medical treatment in 1979, the move that triggered the 13-month U.S. embassy hostage crisis in Tehran.

Rockefeller and his wife, the former Margaret McGrath, were married in 1940 and had six children — David Jr., Richard, Abby, Neva, Margaret and Eileen. His wife, an active conservationist, died in 1996.

The last surviving grandchild of Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller, known for his support of the arts and environmental conservation, died Monday at 101 David Rockefeller