American Diplomat and Nobel Laureate Henry Kissinger Passes Away at Age 100

Henry Kissinger, the renowned American diplomat and Nobel Peace Prize winner, passed away at the age of 100, according to a statement released by Kissinger Associates Inc. Kissinger died at his home in Connecticut.

Despite his age, Kissinger remained active, attending meetings at the White House, publishing a book on leadership styles, and testifying before a Senate committee on the nuclear threat posed by North Korea. In a surprise visit in July 2023, he traveled to Beijing to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

During the 1970s, Kissinger played a significant role in many global events as the secretary of state under President Richard Nixon. His efforts led to the diplomatic opening of China, arms control talks with the Soviet Union, improved relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors, and the Paris Peace Accords with North Vietnam.

Although Kissinger’s influence diminished after Nixon’s resignation in 1974, he continued to be an influential figure under President Gerald Ford and expressed strong opinions throughout his life.

While some praised Kissinger for his brilliance and extensive experience, others criticized him for supporting anti-communist dictatorships, particularly in Latin America. In his later years, he faced legal challenges and questioning from other nations regarding past U.S. foreign policies.

Kissinger’s 1973 Nobel Peace Prize, awarded jointly with North Vietnam’s Le Duc Tho, was highly controversial. Two members of the Nobel committee resigned over the selection, and questions were raised about the U.S. secret bombing of Cambodia.

Kissinger’s personal life often remained private, but he was known for his dour expression, gravelly voice, and reputation as a ladies’ man. He once famously said that power was the ultimate aphrodisiac.

Born Heinz Alfred Kissinger in Germany in 1923, he and his family moved to the United States in 1938 to escape the Nazi campaign against Jews. He changed his name to Henry, became a U.S. citizen in 1943, and attended Harvard University, where he earned advanced degrees.

Kissinger began his career as a consultant to various government agencies and played a role as an intermediary for the State Department during peace negotiations in Vietnam. He became national security adviser when Nixon was elected president and later served as secretary of state.

Although Kissinger made significant achievements in diplomacy, such as forging a disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria and facilitating relations with China, he also faced criticism for his handling of the Vietnam War and his support for authoritarian regimes.

After leaving government, Kissinger established a consulting firm in New York, served on company boards, and became a prominent commentator on international affairs. He faced controversy when President George W. Bush appointed him to head an investigative committee after the September 11 attacks, leading to his resignation due to conflicts of interest.

Kissinger was divorced from his first wife and remarried in 1974. He had two children from his first marriage.

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