Erich Honecker

Full Name: Erich Ernst Paul Honecker
Profession: Politician

Nationality:

Biography: Erich Honecker led East Germany as the General Secretary of the Socialist Unity Party (SED) from 1971 until the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. He was known for his strict adherence to Soviet-style communism and his role in the construction of the Berlin Wall.

Honecker's political career began in the 1930s when he joined the Communist Party of Germany. He was imprisoned by the Nazis during World War II. After the war, Honecker co-founded the Free German Youth (FDJ), a communist youth organization, and served as its chairman until 1955.

As the Security Secretary of the SED Central Committee, Honecker played a key role in the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961. The wall was built to prevent East Germans from fleeing to West Germany. In 1970, with Soviet support, Honecker became the General Secretary of the SED, effectively making him the leader of East Germany.

During his leadership, Honecker implemented a policy of "consumer socialism," which aimed to improve living standards in exchange for political loyalty. He refused to adopt reforms similar to those introduced by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, however, which were known as perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness).

Honecker's resistance to change led to growing unrest in East Germany. In October 1989, faced with mass demonstrations and the loss of Soviet support, Honecker was forced to resign. Shortly after, the Berlin Wall fell, and Germany began the process of reunification.

After German reunification, Honecker fled to the Soviet Union and later to Chile to avoid prosecution for human rights abuses committed by the East German government. He was extradited to Germany in 1992 but was released from custody due to ill health, subsequently returning to his exile in Chile where he would die.

Born: August 25, 1912
Birthplace: Neunkirchen, Germany

Generation: Greatest Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Rat
Star Sign: Virgo

Died: May 29, 1994 (aged 81)