Ludwig Erhard

Ludwig Wilhelm Erhard was born 4 February 1897 and became the economist who steered West Germany's resurrection. As Minister of Economic Affairs under Konrad Adenauer from 1949 to 1963, he championed the social market economy — a framework blending capitalism with social safety nets — and presided over the Wirtschaftswunder that transformed rubble into prosperity. When he succeeded Adenauer as chancellor in 1963, the magic didn't follow. Adenauer, still CDU chairman until 1966, withheld support; Erhard stumbled on a budget deficit and failed to convince the public on foreign policy. His popula…