Age, Biography and Wiki

Sidney Rittenberg was born on 14 August, 1921 in China, is an American academic. Discover Sidney Rittenberg's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 98 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 98 years old
Zodiac Sign Leo
Born 14 August 1921
Birthday 14 August
Birthplace N/A
Date of death 24 August, 2019
Died Place N/A
Nationality China

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 14 August. He is a member of famous academic with the age 98 years old group.

Sidney Rittenberg Height, Weight & Measurements

At 98 years old, Sidney Rittenberg height not available right now. We will update Sidney Rittenberg's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
Height Not Available
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
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Wife Not Available
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Sidney Rittenberg Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Sidney Rittenberg worth at the age of 98 years old? Sidney Rittenberg’s income source is mostly from being a successful academic . He is from China. We have estimated Sidney Rittenberg's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income academic

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Timeline

1921

Sidney Rittenberg (August 14, 1921 – August 24, 2019) was an American journalist, scholar, and Chinese linguist who lived in China from 1944 to 1980.

He worked closely with Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, and other leaders of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during the Chinese Communist Revolution, and was with these central Communist leaders at Yan'an.

Later, he was imprisoned in solitary confinement, twice.

In his book "The Man Who Stayed Behind", Rittenberg stated that he was the second American citizen to join the CCP, the first being the Lebanese-American Doctor Ma Haide (born Shafick George Hatem.)

Rittenberg was born into a Jewish family in Charleston, South Carolina and he lived there until his college studies.

He was the son of Muriel (Sluth) and Sidney Rittenberg, who was president of the Charleston City Council.

After attending Porter Military Academy, he turned down a full scholarship to Princeton University and instead attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he majored in philosophy.

While attending Chapel Hill, he became a member of the Dialectic Society and the US Communist Party.

When he arrived in China, he was sent to bring a $26 check to the family of a girl who was killed by a drunken US soldier.

Despite the family's devastation, they gave Rittenberg $6 for his help.

It was at that point that "something inside Sidney Rittenberg shifted."

Rittenberg befriended the communist leader in the Yan'an caves, which resulted in a lasting relationship with Mao until early days of the Cultural Revolution.

He later worked for the Xinhua News Agency and Central Broadcast Administration.

1949

In 1949, immediately before the formal surrender of Beijing to the Communists, Rittenberg said he was summoned to the capital and he went, expecting to play a role in promoting the Communist takeover to the rest of the world.

In fact Rittenberg was arrested and placed in solitary confinement, because Stalin had denounced him as a US spy.

Rittenberg attributes his survival in solitary confinement to a poem by Edwin Markham:

1955

On his release in 1955 Rittenberg remained a strong supporter of Mao and actively and enthusiastically supported the Great Leap Forward.

Later he was a supporter of the Cultural Revolution and briefly associated with Mao's inner circle, leading a group of rebels to take over the state broadcasting institution.

1967

On April 8, 1967, the People's Daily published a long article written by him.

Rittenberg said, though, that after he objected to the excesses of the period he was arrested and placed back in solitary confinement, from 1967 to 1977.

On his release he emigrated to the United States.

In the United States after his release, he used his extensive knowledge and contacts in China to advise corporate leaders on how to benefit from China's vast, growing economy.

Still welcome in China, he took entrepreneurs on guided tours, introducing them to the country's movers and shakers.