Henry Kissinger

27 May 1923 – 29 November 2023

Henry Kissinger was a German-born American diplomat and political scientist who served as U.S. National Security Advisor and Secretary of State under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. A central architect of détente with the Soviet Union and the opening of relations with China, he was a dominant and controversial figure in Cold War foreign policy. He was awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating a ceasefire in Vietnam.

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Life events

Born in Fürth, Germany
27 May 1923

Born Heinz Alfred Kissinger to a Jewish family in Fürth, Bavaria.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Family emigrated to the United States
1938

The Kissinger family fled Nazi Germany and settled in New York City.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Earned doctorate from Harvard University
1954

Completed his PhD at Harvard, where he later taught government.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed National Security Advisor
20 January 1969 – 3 November 1975

Became National Security Advisor under President Richard Nixon.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Secret diplomacy leading to Nixon's China visit
July 1971

Conducted secret trips to Beijing that paved the way for the opening of U.S.-China relations.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Appointed U.S. Secretary of State
22 September 1973 – 20 January 1977

Served as the 56th Secretary of State under Presidents Nixon and Ford.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Awarded the Nobel Peace Prize
10 December 1973

Shared the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for the Paris Peace Accords ending U.S. involvement in Vietnam.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Founded Kissinger Associates
1982

Established an international geopolitical consulting firm in New York.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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Died in Kent, Connecticut
29 November 2023

Died at his home at the age of 100.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
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