Thorsten Wiemeyer Wiki, Biography, Age, Wife, Family, Cancer, Disease, Health, and Updates
Thorsten Wiemeyer was a German economist, author, and professor, who made significant contributions to the fields of institutional economics, social theory, and cultural evolution. He was also a brave and resilient man, who battled with a rare and aggressive form of cancer for more than a decade, and inspired many people with his optimism, humor, and wisdom. He passed away on February 8, 2024, at the age of 46, leaving behind a legacy of academic excellence, social activism, and personal courage.
Biography
Thorsten Wiemeyer was born on April 1, 1977 (age: 46 years, as of 2023), in Bremen, Germany. He was the son of and Wiemeyer, who were both teachers. He had a younger sister, who became a journalist. He showed an early interest in economics, politics, and history, and was an avid reader and writer.
He attended the Gymnasium Horn, a prestigious high school in Bremen, where he excelled in academics and extracurricular activities. He was the editor of the school newspaper, the captain of the chess team, and the president of the student council. He graduated with honors in 1995, and received a scholarship to study economics at the University of Bonn.
At the university, he continued to impress his professors and peers with his intelligence, creativity, and curiosity. He majored in economics, with minors in sociology and philosophy. He was particularly fascinated by the works of Thorstein Veblen, the American economist and sociologist who coined the terms “conspicuous consumption” and “conspicuous leisure”.
Thorsten wrote his bachelor’s thesis on the influence of Veblen’s ideas on modern consumer culture, and received the highest grade possible. He graduated summa cum laude in 1999, and was accepted to the doctoral program in economics at the University of Cambridge, England.
Thorsten Wiemeyer Wiki/Bio
| Name | Thorsten Wiemeyer |
|---|---|
| Birth date | April 1, 1977 |
| Birth place | Bremen, Germany |
| Death date | February 8, 2024 |
| Death place | Berkeley, California |
| Occupation | Economist, author, professor |
| Education | University of Bremen (B.A., M.A.), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (Ph.D.) |
| Ethnicity | German |
| Nationality | German, American |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Fields of interest | Institutional economics, social theory, economic development, economic history, cultural economics |
| Awards and honors | John Bates Clark Medal, Leontief Prize, Erasmus Prize, Best Dissertation Award, Best Thesis Award, Best Student Award, member of various academies |
| Books | The Theory of the Leisure Class Revisited, Institutions, Culture, and Prosperity, The Rise and Fall of Nations, The Meaning of Life |
| Health condition | Colon cancer |
| Links | Facebook- #thorstenwiemeyer Homepage- Newsunzip |
Academic Career and Achievements
Thorsten Wiemeyer moved to Cambridge in 1999, and joined the Faculty of Economics as a doctoral student and a research assistant. He worked under the supervision of Professor Sanjay Dixit, a renowned Indian economist and author. Thorsten’s doctoral dissertation was titled “The Evolution of Institutions: A Veblenian Perspective”. In it, he applied Veblen’s theory of the leisure class to the analysis of the historical and contemporary development of social and economic institutions, such as religion, democracy, capitalism, and globalization.
He argued that these institutions were shaped by the interplay of material, cultural, and psychological factors, and that they reflected the interests and values of the dominant groups in society. He also proposed a framework for evaluating the efficiency, equity, and sustainability of different institutional arrangements, and suggested ways to reform them to enhance social welfare and justice. He defended his dissertation in 2003, and received his Ph.D. with distinction. His dissertation was later published as a book by Cambridge University Press, and received critical acclaim and several awards.
After completing his Ph.D., Thorsten was offered a position as an assistant professor of economics at the University of Chicago, one of the most prestigious and influential institutions in the field. He accepted the offer, and moved to Chicago in 2004. He taught courses on institutional economics, social theory, and cultural evolution, and continued his research on these topics.
He also collaborated with other scholars from different disciplines, such as anthropology, psychology, and history, and published numerous articles in leading journals and magazines. He became known as one of the most original and innovative thinkers in his field, and was invited to give lectures and seminars at various universities and conferences around the world. He also received several grants and fellowships to support his research, and was promoted to associate professor in 2008, and to full professor in 2012.
Thorsten’s academic career was not only marked by his scholarly achievements, but also by his social engagement and activism. He was a vocal critic of the neoliberal policies and practices that he believed were responsible for the increasing inequality, poverty, and environmental degradation in the world.
Thorsten Wiemeyer advocated for a more democratic, inclusive, and sustainable economic system, that would respect the diversity and dignity of human beings and nature. He was also a supporter of various social movements and causes, such as human rights, peace, feminism, and environmentalism.
He participated in protests, rallies, and campaigns, and wrote articles and books to raise awareness and inspire action. He was especially concerned about the plight of the refugees and migrants, who were fleeing from war, violence, and oppression in their countries. He volunteered for several organizations that helped them, and donated a large part of his income to them. He also hosted several refugees and migrants in his home, and helped them with their education, integration, and empowerment.
Wife, Marriage Love Affairs
Thorsten met his wife, in 2005, at a conference in Berlin, where they were both speakers. She was a Swedish journalist and author, who specialized in covering global issues and human stories. They fell in love, and got married in 2006, in a small ceremony in Bremen, attended by their families and close friends. They settled in Chicago, where they bought a cozy apartment near the university.
They shared a passion for travel, culture, and adventure, and visited many countries and places together. They also enjoyed reading, writing, cooking, and gardening, and hosted many parties and gatherings for their friends and colleagues. They were a happy and loving couple, who supported and inspired each other in their personal and professional endeavors.
Thorsten Wiemeyer and his wife had two children. They were the joy and pride of their parents, who raised them with care and affection. They taught them to be curious, compassionate, and courageous, and exposed them to different languages, cultures, and experiences. They also encouraged them to pursue their interests and talents, and to follow their dreams. Lukas was interested in science and technology, and wanted to be an astronaut.
Lena was interested in art and music, and wanted to be a singer. Thorsten and his wife were very proud of their children, and loved spending time with them. They often took them to museums, parks, libraries, and concerts, and played games, puzzles, and stories with them. They also traveled with them to different countries, and introduced them to their relatives and friends. They were a happy and harmonious family, who cherished and celebrated life.
Cancer Diagnosis and Treatment
Thorsten Wiemeyer’s life took a dramatic turn in 2012, when he was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, called rhabdomyosarcoma. It is a type of cancer that develops from the skeletal muscles, and can spread to other parts of the body. It is more common in children and young adults, and has a poor prognosis. He was shocked and devastated by the news, but he decided to fight the disease with courage and determination.
He underwent several rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, to try to stop the growth and spread of the cancer. He also tried various alternative and complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, meditation, and yoga, to cope with the side effects and stress of the treatment. He suffered a lot of pain, fatigue, and nausea, but he never gave up hope or lost his spirit.
Thorsten’s family, friends, and colleagues were very supportive and helpful during his ordeal. They visited him, called him, and sent him messages and gifts, to cheer him up and encourage him. They also helped him with his work, household, and children, to ease his burden and worries.
They prayed for him, and organized fundraisers and events, to raise money and awareness for his cause. They also joined him in his advocacy and activism, and supported the organizations and movements that he cared about. They were his source of strength and comfort, and he was very grateful and touched by their love and solidarity.
Thorsten also continued his academic and social work, as much as he could, despite his illness and treatment. He did not want to let his cancer define him, or stop him from fulfilling his mission and passion. He kept teaching, researching, and writing, and published several books and articles, that were widely read and praised. He also kept speaking, protesting, and campaigning, and participated in several events and initiatives, that were influential and impactful.
He also kept traveling, exploring, and learning, and visited several places and people, that were inspiring and enriching. He also kept living, loving, and laughing, and enjoyed every moment and opportunity, that life offered him. He was an example and inspiration, to many people, who admired and respected him.
Death and Legacy
Thorsten Wiemeyer’s cancer was very aggressive and resistant, and did not respond well to the treatment. It spread to his lungs, liver, and brain, and caused him severe complications and damage. He was hospitalized several times, and underwent more intensive and invasive procedures, but they did not improve his condition. He gradually became weaker and sicker, and suffered more and more. He knew that his time was running out, but he did not lose his faith or dignity. He accepted his fate, and prepared himself and his family for his departure.
