Irving Kristol

Date of Birth: January 22, 1920

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: September 18, 2009

Biography

Irving Kristol was an influential American editor, columnist, and writer, often referred to as the “godfather of neoconservatism.” Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Kristol’s early education took place at the City College of New York, where he was actively involved in political discussions and writings. He served in the United States Army during World War II, an experience that profoundly shaped his later thinking. After the war, Kristol pursued a career in journalism and became a prominent figure in the intellectual landscape of the United States. Kristol co-founded the magazine “The Public Interest” in 1965, which became a significant platform for neoconservative thought. He also played a pivotal role in the establishment of “The National Interest,” another journal that influenced U.S. foreign policy debates. Throughout his career, Kristol wrote extensively on a variety of topics, including politics, economics, and culture, contributing to publications such as “Commentary” and “The Wall Street Journal.” Kristol’s work earned him numerous accolades, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2002. He was also a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, where he continued to influence conservative thought until his passing.

5 Interesting Facts about Irving Kristol

1. Irving Kristol was a founding member of the Congress for Cultural Freedom, an anti-communist advocacy group.

2. He initially identified as a Trotskyist in his youth but later became a leading figure in the neoconservative movement.

3. Kristol was married to historian Gertrude Himmelfarb, with whom he had two children.

4. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President George W. Bush in 2002.

5. Kristol was a frequent contributor to “The Wall Street Journal” and “Commentary,” influencing public discourse on a wide range of issues.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Irving Kristol

1. “A neoconservative is a liberal who has been mugged by reality.”

2. “Democracy does not guarantee equality of conditions – it only guarantees equality of opportunity.”

3. “There are different kinds of truths for different kinds of people.”

4. “The enemy of liberal capitalism today is not so much socialism as nihilism.”

5. “Being frustrated is disagreeable, but the real disasters in life begin when you get what you want.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

While specific figures for Irving Kristol’s net worth are not publicly available, his influence and contributions to journalism and political thought were invaluable and far-reaching.

Children

Irving Kristol had two children with his wife, Gertrude Himmelfarb: 1. William Kristol, a prominent political analyst and founder of “The Weekly Standard.” 2. Elizabeth Nelson, a public policy consultant.