1

                                                                    Exhibit 23.1


                      CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
                      -------------------------------------


We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration
Statement on Form S-8 and related prospectus pertaining to the 1999 Employee
Stock Incentive Plan of Firstar Corporation (the "Company") of our report dated
January 14, 2000 relating to the consolidated financial statements, which
appears in the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is
incorporated by reference in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1999.

                                                  /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 18, 2000