Helmut Schmidt

Date of Birth: December 23, 1918

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: November 10, 2015

Biography

Helmut Schmidt was a prominent German statesman, who played a significant role in Germany’s post-World War II reconstruction and its political landscape during the Cold War. Born on December 23, 1918, in Hamburg, Germany, he served as the Chancellor of West Germany from 1974 to 1982. Schmidt was a member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) and is remembered for his pragmatic leadership style, economic policies, and strong stance on NATO and European integration. Before becoming Chancellor, Schmidt held various key positions, including Minister of Defense and Minister of Finance. He was also a respected author and editor, contributing to numerous publications after his political career.

5 Interesting Facts about Helmut Schmidt

1. Helmut Schmidt was known for his chain-smoking habit, which he continued well into his 90s.

2. He was an accomplished pianist and even performed publicly on several occasions.

3. During his tenure as Chancellor, Schmidt dealt with the economic turmoil of the 1970s, including the oil crisis.

4. Schmidt was instrumental in the European Monetary System’s creation, a precursor to the Euro.

5. After retiring from politics, Schmidt became a co-publisher of the German weekly newspaper “Die Zeit.”

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Helmut Schmidt

1. “The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.”

2. “In the long run, nothing can withstand reason and experience.”

3. “The art of politics consists in knowing precisely when it is necessary to hit an opponent slightly below the belt.”

4. “A politician must have the ability to foretell what is going to happen tomorrow, next week, next month, and next year. And to have the ability afterward to explain why it didn’t happen.”

5. “The strength of democracy is not just in the right to vote, but in the right to live in dignity.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the height of his career, Helmut Schmidt’s net worth was estimated to be around $5 million.

Children

Helmut Schmidt and his wife Loki had two children: a son, Helmut Walter Schmidt, who died as an infant, and a daughter, Susanne Schmidt, who pursued a career in journalism and economics.