The 2005 appointment of Paul Wolfowitz as President of the World Bank concluded with his resignation two years later, marking the only time a leader of that institution stepped down due to a scandal. A career defined by long-standing roles in United States diplomacy and defense, his professional trajectory spanned the Pentagon, international development, and academia.
Academic and Formative Years
Born in 1943 in Brooklyn, New York, to a Polish Jewish family, Wolfowitz spent his youth in Ithaca, New York. His father, Jacob Wolfowitz, served as a professor of statistical theory at Cornell University. Paul attended Ithaca High School before enrolling at Cornell in 1961, graduating with a bachelor's degree in mathematics in 1965. Despite his father’s preference for mathematics, he shifted his focus to political science at the University of Chicago, earning his Ph.D. in 1972. His doctoral dissertation analyzed nuclear proliferation, and his formative academic years were influenced by his mentor Albert Wohlstetter.
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Wolfowitz entered public service through roles at the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency during the 1970s. He later held significant appointments under various administrations, including Director of Policy Planning from 1981 to 1982 and Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs until 1986. He served as United States Ambassador to Indonesia between 1986 and 1989. Following this diplomatic post, he returned to defense policy, serving as Under Secretary of Defense for Policy from 1989 to 1993, and later as United States Deputy Secretary of Defense from 2001 to 2005.
World Bank Presidency
In 2005, Wolfowitz transitioned from the Pentagon to lead the World Bank Group. His presidency became the subject of intense scrutiny regarding his management and the handling of professional staff. Specifically, his involvement in a high-paying promotion for Shaha Riza, an official with whom he maintained a romantic relationship, led to calls for his departure. The resulting investigation and subsequent pressure caused his resignation in 2007, an unprecedented event for a World Bank president.
Post-Government Work
Following his resignation, Wolfowitz continued his career within academic and policy spheres. He maintained an affiliation with Johns Hopkins University, where he served as dean of the School of Advanced International Studies. A member of the Trilateral Commission, his career also included substantial work as a political scientist, with his efforts and policy contributions remaining a subject of analysis within the study of American diplomacy.
Fast facts
- Born: 1943, Brooklyn, United States
- Education: Cornell University, University of Chicago
- World Bank President: 2005-2007
- United States Deputy Secretary of Defense: 2001-2005
- United States Ambassador to Indonesia: 1986-1989
- Language proficiency: English, Arabic, French, German, Hebrew, Indonesian
Questions readers ask
Did Paul Wolfowitz hold any academic roles?
Yes, he served as the dean of the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University.
Why did he resign from the World Bank?
He resigned in 2007 following a scandal concerning his involvement in the promotion and compensation of a staffer with whom he had a romantic relationship.
Achievements
- Affiliated with Johns Hopkins University
- Educated at University of Chicago and Cornell University
- Worked as political scientist, diplomat and politician
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