U Thant

Date of Birth: January 22, 1909

Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Date of Death: November 25, 1974

Biography

U Thant was a Burmese diplomat and the third Secretary-General of the United Nations, serving from 1961 to 1971. He was born on January 22, 1909, in Pantanaw, British Burma (now Myanmar). U Thant’s career in diplomacy and international relations began in his homeland, where he worked as an educator and journalist before moving into governmental roles. He served as Secretary to the Government of the Union of Burma in the Ministry of Information and was later appointed Burma’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in 1957. Following the death of Dag Hammarskjöld in a plane crash, U Thant was appointed as the acting Secretary-General of the United Nations. His tenure saw significant global events, including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Vietnam War, and the Six-Day War. U Thant was known for his efforts to mediate conflicts and promote peace. He was reappointed for a second term in 1966 and served until the end of 1971. After his tenure at the UN, he retired from public life and passed away on November 25, 1974, in New York City.

5 Interesting Facts about U Thant

1. U Thant was the first non-European to hold the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations.

2. He played a crucial role in defusing the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962.

3. U Thant wrote an autobiography titled “View from the UN,” which provides insights into his experiences and perspectives during his tenure.

4. He strongly supported decolonization and the independence movements of many countries during his time at the UN.

5. U Thant was awarded the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding in 1965.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from U Thant

1. “Wars begin in the minds of men, and in those minds, love and compassion would have built the defenses of peace.”

2. “The world will not change and find peace if there is not a new education.”

3. “The United Nations is our one great hope for a peaceful and free world.”

4. “I do not wish to be remembered as the man who tried to keep the peace in a world that was determined to fight.”

5. “In this age of crisis, the world needs a moral and spiritual revival as much as it needs political and economic reform.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

U Thant did not accumulate significant personal wealth during his career. As a public servant and diplomat, his highest net worth was modest, reflecting his commitment to public service rather than personal financial gain.

Children

U Thant had one daughter, Aye Aye Thant, who has been involved in various humanitarian and educational activities, often reflecting her father’s legacy of peace and international understanding.