Date of Birth: April 3, 1930
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Date of Death: June 16, 2017
Biography
Helmut Josef Michael Kohl was a German statesman who served as Chancellor of Germany from 1982 to 1998. He was born in Ludwigshafen am Rhein, Germany, and became a key figure in the history of post-war Germany. Kohl was instrumental in the reunification of East and West Germany in 1990 and played a significant role in the creation of the European Union and the introduction of the euro. Kohl’s political career began in his youth when he joined the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) in 1947. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate in 1969. In 1973, he was elected as the national chairman of the CDU, a position he held until 1998. Kohl’s tenure as Chancellor was marked by significant economic reforms, foreign policy initiatives, and efforts to strengthen the European community.
5 Interesting Facts about Helmut Kohl
1. Helmut Kohl was the longest-serving Chancellor of Germany in the 20th century, holding office for 16 years.
2. He played a pivotal role in the negotiations leading to the Maastricht Treaty, which laid the foundation for the European Union.
3. Kohl was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by U.S. President George H.W. Bush in 1999.
4. He earned the nickname “Chancellor of Unity” for his efforts in reunifying East and West Germany.
5. Kohl faced a major political scandal in the late 1990s involving undisclosed donations to the CDU, which tarnished his legacy.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Helmut Kohl
1. “The future will belong to those who have the courage to lay the foundation for it.”
2. “Germany has become a nation again thanks to the courage and vision of people on both sides of the Iron Curtain.”
3. “Europe is our common future.”
4. “We must never forget: the key to our success is a united Europe.”
5. “Economic success and social responsibility are two sides of the same coin.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Helmut Kohl’s highest estimated net worth was around $10 million.
Children
Helmut Kohl had two sons, Walter Kohl and Peter Kohl, with his first wife, Hannelore Renner.
Relevant Links
1. [Helmut Kohl – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmut_Kohl
2. [BBC News – Obituary: Helmut Kohl](http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-18364153
5. [History.com – Helmut Kohl](https://www.history.com/topics/germany/helmut-kohl
