Helmut Kohl

Profession: German Chancellor

Nationality:

Biography: Helmut Kohl served as Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998, making him the longest-serving German Chancellor since Otto von Bismarck. He played a crucial role in the reunification of Germany and the creation of the European Union.

Kohl was born in 1930 to a Catholic family. He joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) political party at the age of 16 and subsequently earned a PhD in history from Heidelberg University in 1958 before spending some time working as a businessman.

Kohl's political career began in 1959 when he was elected as the youngest member of the Parliament of Rhineland-Palatinate. He became Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate in 1969 and was elected national chairman of the CDU in 1973. In 1982, Kohl became Chancellor of Germany through a constructive vote of no confidence, forming a coalition government with the Free Democratic Party (FDP).

During his time as Chancellor, Kohl worked closely with French President François Mitterrand and supported the policies of United States President Ronald Reagan against the Soviet Union. He played a key role in the fall of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of Germany in 1990. Kohl was also instrumental in the creation of the European Union and the introduction of the Euro currency.

After his chancellorship ended in 1998, Kohl became honorary chairman of the CDU but resigned in 2000 due to a donations scandal. Despite this, he received numerous awards and accolades, including the Charlemagne Prize and being named Honorary Citizen of Europe.

Kohl's personal life was marked by tragedy, with his first wife, Hannelore, dying by suicide in 2001. He remarried in 2008 to Maike Richter but ultimately became estranged from his sons.

Born: April 3, 1930
Birthplace: Ludwigshafen, Germany

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Aries

Died: June 16, 2017 (aged 87)
Cause of Death: Natural causes