Zeilstra, Elle

After receiving secondary education, he studied at the Netherlands School of Economics (later transformed into the University of Erasmus of Rotterdam). His training was interrupted twice: first in 1939-1940 because of a draft for military service, then in 1942 because of a refusal to sign the oath of loyalty, which was required from students by the Nazi occupation authorities. In October 1945, he received a master's degree in economics and became a research fellow at the Netherlands School of Economics. In 1948, he received his doctorate and became a professor of economics at the Free University of Amsterdam .

He married in 1946, 3 daughters and 2 sons were born in the marriage.

He joined the Anti-Revolutionary Party, was its leader in 1956 and 1958-1959. He was elected to the House of Representatives and the Senate of Parliament.

In 1952–1959, Minister of Economics. In 1958–1963, Minister of Finance.

In 1963–1966, professor of public finance at the Free University of Amsterdam and member of the Senate.

In 1966-1967, the Prime Minister and part-time Minister of Finance.

In 1967-1982, the president of the central bank of the Netherlands. At the same time in July 1967 - December 1981 he was president and chairman of the board of directors of the Bank for International Settlements .

The godfather of King Willem-Alexander . Member of the Royal Academy of Sciences and Arts of the Netherlands (1973). After his resignation in 1983, he was awarded the honorary title of Minister of State . He served on the boards of directors of a number of public and private companies.