Larry Summers Wife: Meet Elisa New

Behind every influential figure stands a supportive partner, and in the case of Lawrence H. Summers, it’s his wife, Elisa New. Beyond being the spouse of a renowned economist and political figure, Elisa New has a story of her own, marked by academic achievements, a literary journey, and a love that blossomed unexpectedly.

The Wedding: The union of Elisa New and Lawrence Summers took place at Elmwood, the president’s residence on the Harvard campus in Cambridge, Mass. The ceremony was conducted by Rabbi Norman Janis, a chaplain at Harvard, bringing together two individuals with diverse backgrounds and shared intellectual pursuits.

Elisa New’s Academic Background: Elisa New, aged 47 at the time of her wedding, is a distinguished Harvard professor specializing in English and American language and literature. She is not merely a companion but a scholar in her own right. Her academic journey includes graduating from Brandeis University and obtaining master’s and doctoral degrees in English and comparative literature from Columbia University.

Family Background: Elisa New’s parents, Joan and Ronald New, have unique professional backgrounds. Her father, a physicist and computer scientist, retired from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Washington, specializing in underwater acoustics. Her mother, on the other hand, works as a party planner in Washington, showcasing the diversity within her own family.

Literary Pursuits: Elisa New is not just an academic; she is also an author. Her work includes “The Line’s Eye: Poetic Experience, American Sight,” published by Harvard University Press in 1999. This literary accomplishment reflects her deep engagement with language and literature, showcasing a multifaceted talent beyond her role as an educator.

A Journey into Family History: Around the age of 40, Elisa New embarked on a profound journey into her family’s past, documented in her 2009 memoir, “Jacob’s Cane: A Jewish Family’s Journey from the Four Lands of Lithuania to the Ports of London and Baltimore.” This exploration involved delving into her great-grandfather’s cane, an object that became symbolic in unraveling her family’s history.

The memoir reflects on the emotional and intellectual challenges of reconstructing family narratives, a task that coincided with significant personal changes, including a divorce and a subsequent unexpected love story.

Love Story with Larry Summers: Elisa New’s unexpected love story with Larry Summers, the controversial former president of Harvard and prominent economist, began around the time of her midlife. Both recently divorced, they found each other in the midst of life’s complexities. They married in 2005, a year before Summers resigned from Harvard amid controversies.

Their courtship was marked by late-night phone calls and engaging conversations, revealing a side of Summers that contrasted with his public persona. Elisa New describes him as funny, smart, and affectionate, highlighting the magical nature of their connection.

Life Together: Elisa New and Larry Summers formed a blended family of six children, navigating the challenges of dual careers and commuting between Brookline, Massachusetts, and Washington, D.C. Despite the turbulence of public controversies surrounding Larry Summers, Elisa New reflects on their life together as fascinating, offering unique insights into human nature, great institutions, and the world economy.

Beyond the headlines and controversies, the story of Elisa New, Larry Summers’ wife, is one of resilience, intellectual curiosity, and unexpected love. Her academic prowess, literary achievements, and personal journey add depth to the narrative surrounding one of the prominent figures in American economics and politics.