Date of Birth: November 15, 1925
Zodiac Sign: Scorpio
Date of Death: June 26, 2014
Biography
Howard Henry Baker Jr. was a prominent American politician and diplomat, born on November 15, 1925, in Huntsville, Tennessee. He was a member of the Republican Party and served as a U.S. Senator from Tennessee from 1967 to 1985. Baker’s political career was marked by his roles as Senate Minority Leader from 1977 to 1981 and Senate Majority Leader from 1981 to 1985. Known for his bipartisan approach and eloquent oratory, Baker earned the nickname “The Great Conciliator.” Baker played a significant role during the Watergate scandal as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Watergate Committee, where he famously asked, “What did the President know and when did he know it?” His leadership and dedication to transparency during this period were highly lauded. After retiring from the Senate, Baker served as White House Chief of Staff under President Ronald Reagan from 1987 to 1988. He was later appointed the United States Ambassador to Japan by President George W. Bush, serving from 2001 to 2005. Baker passed away on June 26, 2014, leaving behind a legacy of political integrity and statesmanship.
5 Interesting Facts about Howard Baker
1. Howard Baker was the first Republican to be popularly elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee.
2. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1984 by President Ronald Reagan.
3. Baker was an accomplished photographer and published a book of his photographs titled “Howard Baker’s Washington.”
4. He was married to Joy Dirksen Baker, the daughter of U.S. Senator Everett Dirksen, and later to former U.S. Senator Nancy Kassebaum.
5. Baker was an avid pilot and often flew his own plane for personal and professional travel.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Howard Baker
1. “What did the President know and when did he know it?”
2. “The mark of a leader is someone who can make decisions in the face of uncertainty.”
3. “It is almost always the cover-up rather than the event that causes trouble.”
4. “I was motivated by the feeling that I had to be honest, and I had to be fair.”
5. “Politics is the art of the possible, the attainable — the art of the next best.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
Howard Baker’s highest net worth was estimated to be around $10 million.
Children
Howard Baker had two children with his first wife, Joy Dirksen Baker: Darek Baker and Cynthia Baker.
Relevant Links
1. [Howard Baker – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Baker
4. [Baker Center for Public Policy](https://bakercenter.utk.edu/
