David Rockefeller (1915-2017) was an influential American banker, economist, philanthropist, statesman, and prominent member of the Rockefeller family. Born as the youngest of six children to John D. Rockefeller Jr. and Abby Aldrich Rockefeller, he was the grandson of Standard Oil founder John D. Rockefeller Sr. and Laura Spelman Rockefeller. Raised in immense wealth and privilege in New York City, he was instilled with values of industriousness, charity, and Baptist faith from an early age, reflecting his family's legacy of business acumen and philanthropy. He pursued higher education at Harvard College, earning a B.S. in economics in 1936, followed by graduate studies at Harvard, the London School of Economics, and the University of Chicago, where he obtained a Ph.D. in economics in 1940. Early in his career, he served as secretary to New York City Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia from 1940 to 1941 and joined the U.S. Army during World War II, enlisting in 1942 and serving as an intelligence officer in North Africa, southern France, and Paris.

Rockefeller's professional life centered on banking, beginning in 1946 at Chase National Bank, which merged to form Chase Manhattan Bank. He rose rapidly, becoming president and co-CEO in 1960, and chairman and CEO in 1969, leading the institution's significant expansion into international operations until his retirement in 1981. Beyond banking, he was deeply involved in global affairs and played a key role in shaping U.S. foreign policy through elite networks. He served as a member of the Council on Foreign Relations from 1941 until his death, including as chairman from 1970 to 1985. A lifelong art collector and supporter of cultural institutions, he chaired the Museum of Modern Art and the Rockefeller University, and was instrumental in family philanthropic efforts through organizations like the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, founded in 1940 with his siblings. Rockefeller authored memoirs and was known for his influence in business, politics, and international relations, embodying the Rockefeller dynasty's blend of economic power and public service.

In his personal life, David Rockefeller married Margaret 'Peggy' McGrath in 1940; they had six children—two sons and four daughters—ten grandchildren, and one great-granddaughter. Peggy passed away in 1996 after 55 years of marriage. He resided primarily in New York City, including a notable double-wide mansion on the Upper East Side, and maintained connections to family estates. Rockefeller's death on March 20, 2017, at age 101, marked the end of an era for the Rockefeller family, with his estate contributing significantly to philanthropy, including a windfall to family foundations exceeding a billion dollars.