| Office: | Minister of Finance and Prize |
| Primeminister: | Hans Modrow |
| Predecessor: | Ernst Höfner |
| Successor: | Walter Siegert (acting) |
| Term Start: | 18 November 1989 |
| Term End: | 12 April 1990 |
| Birth Date: | 19 July 1941 |
| Birth Place: | Leipzig, Germany |
| Party: | Socialist Unity Party |
Uta Nickel (born 19 July 1941) is a German economist and one of the former finance ministers of East Germany.
Nickel was born in Leipzig on 19 July 1941.[1] [2] She studied economics.
Nickel joined the ruling party of East Germany, Socialist Unity, in 1960.[2] She served as the councillor of finance of Leipzig in the period between 1963 and 1976.[2] She was state secretary for finances and prices from 1988 to 1989.[1] She was appointed minister of finance and prices on 18 November 1989, replacing Ernst Höfner in the post.[3] She was part of the reform-minded cabinet formed by Hans Modrow.[4]
She resigned from the office in January 1990 following the allegations that she was involved in illegal payments.[5] Upon these accusations, she was investigated by the prosecutor general for financial breach of trust.[5] Nickel denied any wrongdoing.[6] Nickel's term officially ended on 12 April 1990 when Walter Siegert was appointed as acting finance minister.[7]
After retiring from politics Nickel worked as a consultant for two property development companies based in Cologne.[2]