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                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

         We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this
Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our report dated February 11, 1999, on our
audits of the consolidated financial statement and financial statement schedules
of American International Group, Inc. and subsidiaries for the three years ended
December 31, 1998 included in its Current Report on Form 8-K, dated June 3,
1999, as amended.


                                              PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



New York, New York
August 10, 1999