Eduard Shevardnadze

Date of Birth: January 25, 1928

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: July 7, 2014

Biography

Eduard Shevardnadze was a prominent Soviet and Georgian politician who played a significant role in the end of the Cold War and the subsequent political landscape of post-Soviet Georgia. Born on January 25, 1928, in Mamati, Georgia, Shevardnadze began his political career in the Komsomol, the Communist Party’s youth organization. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming the First Secretary of the Georgian Communist Party in 1972. Shevardnadze is perhaps best known for his role as the Soviet Union’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1990 under Mikhail Gorbachev. During his tenure, he was instrumental in negotiating key arms control agreements and fostering a thaw in U.S.-Soviet relations, contributing to the end of the Cold War. His efforts in diplomacy earned him international recognition and respect. After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Shevardnadze returned to Georgia, where he served as Chairman of the State Council and later as President from 1995 until his resignation amidst the Rose Revolution in 2003. Throughout his career, Shevardnadze was known for his pragmatism, diplomatic skills, and efforts to modernize and stabilize Georgia.

5 Interesting Facts about Eduard Shevardnadze

1. Eduard Shevardnadze played a key role in the reunification of Germany by supporting the removal of Soviet troops from East Germany.

2. He survived an assassination attempt in 1995 when a bomb exploded near his motorcade in Tbilisi, Georgia.

3. Shevardnadze was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize as part of the United Nations Peacekeepers in 1988.

4. He was known for his close working relationship with U.S. Secretary of State James Baker, which helped to foster better U.S.-Soviet relations.

5. After his resignation in 2003, Shevardnadze lived a relatively quiet life in retirement, occasionally speaking on political issues.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Eduard Shevardnadze

1. “I would like to see the re-establishment of friendly relations between the two countries [U.S. and Russia] for the sake of world peace.”

2. “The Soviet Union was the first state to recognize Georgia’s independence.”

3. “Peace is not just the absence of war. It means the presence of justice, of law, of order – in short, of government.”

4. “Georgia is not just a country but a history, a culture, and a way of life.”

5. “The end of the Cold War is our common victory.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Eduard Shevardnadze’s highest net worth is not publicly documented, but he was not known for amassing significant personal wealth during his political career.