Origins & Early Life

Esther Caroline Duflo, FBA (French: [ɛstɛʁ dyflo]; born 25 October 1972) is a French-American economist, and the Lemann Foundation Professor in Economics at the Department of Economics of the University of Zurich (UZH). In 2019, she was jointly awarded the Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences alongside her husband Abhijit Banerjee and Michael Kremer "for their experimental approach to alleviating global poverty". In addition to her academic appointment, Duflo is the co-founder and co-director of the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab (J-PAL), an MIT-based research center promoting the use of randomized controlled trials in policy evaluation. As of 2020, more than 400 million people had been impacted by programs tested by J-PAL affiliated researchers.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Since 2024, Duflo has also been the president of the Paris School of Economics alongside her appointment at MIT. In October 2025, the University of Zurich announced that Duflo and Banerjee would be joining the faculty of the UZH School of Business, Economics, and Informatics in July 2026. Duflo is a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), a board member of the Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abraham Joshua Heschel — Contemporary (Died in 1972) (1972): Leading 20th-century American rabbi, theologian, and philosopher.
• Alessandro Nivola — Contemporary (Born in 1972) (1972): Versatile American actor known for film and stage work, building a notable career.
• Alison Stone (philosopher) — Contemporary (Born in 1972) (1972): British philosopher specializing in feminist and continental European thought.
• Anthony Franciosa — Shared historical date (10-25 · Born) (1928): Versatile American actor known for stage breakthroughs and film success.
• Ariel Durant — Shared historical date (10-25 · Died) (1981): Ukrainian-born American historian, coauthor of The Story of Civilization.
• Anika Noni Rose — Historical peer (Born in 1972) (1972): Acclaimed American actress celebrated for Broadway triumphs and Disney voice roles.
• Ben Affleck — Historical peer (Born in 1972) (1972): Esteemed American actor and filmmaker known for dramatic roles and directorial efforts.
• Agnès Varda — Historical peer (Died in 2019) (2019): Pioneering French filmmaker, artist, and documentarian celebrated for her unique vision.
• Akihito — Historical peer (Died in 2019) (2019): 125th Emperor of Japan; reigned during the Heisei era (1989-2019).
• Alan Parker — Historical peer (Died in 2020) (2020): Acclaimed English filmmaker known for genre versatility and numerous BAFTA and Golden Globe wins.
• 1972 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1972
• October 25 (10-25) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on October 25