Paul O’Neill (1935–2020), former Secretary of the Treasury and Alcoa CEO

Paul O’Neill was U.S. Secretary of the Treasury during President George W. Bush’s first term. He was also chairman and CEO of industrial corporation Alcoa in the 1980s and ‘90s.

• Died: April 18, 2020 (Who else died on April 18?)
• Details of death: Died at home in Pittsburgh of lung cancer at the age of 84.
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Unrest in the administration

O’Neill was appointed Secretary of the Treasury as Bush began his first term in January 2001. Under his watch, the U.S. weathered the 2001 recession and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. His time in the Bush administration was rocky, as he clashed with the president on his tax cuts, tariffs, and Iraq War, among other key policy issues. O’Neill was outspoken about his disagreements with the president, and ultimately, he was fired from his position, leaving the administration in December 2002. In later years, he became an advisor for the Blackstone Group and founded the consulting firm Value Capture. His private sector experience also included 13 years as chairman and CEO of Alcoa, where he became known for his commitment to workplace safety. O'Neill served as president of International Paper in the 1980s and chairman of the RAND Corporation in the 1990s.

What people said about him

Full obituary: The Washington Post