Ion Iliescu

President of Romania (1990-1996; 2000-2004) · Romania · Politicians · Lived 1930 to 2025 · aged 95

Ion Iliescu is read about 553 times a day, in 62 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 21 October 2026

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He became Romania's first freely elected president after the 1989 revolution that toppled Ceaușescu - a transition he helped lead - then held the office for three terms across fourteen years.

Politicians Politician Politics Literature 20th Century

A life in dates

2025Died5 August 20252004“The global vocation and aspirations of my country are closely related to its European destiny.”In their words"Speech at the 59th UN General Assembly session" (2004)Read the whole statement

Independence OrderAwardKnight of the Order of the ElephantAward2003Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil MeritAwardKnight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian RepublicAward2002Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double CrossAward2001“The knowledge gap is compounded by the ubiquitous phenomenon of brain drain from the developing to the developed world. The problem is almost as old as the United Nations itself.”In their words"Speech at the 56th UN General Assembly session" (2001)Read the whole statement

“Experience shows that enhanced regional cooperation can be both the engine and the result of globalization.”In their words"Speech at the 56th UN General Assembly session" (2001)Read the whole statement

“A set of policies can be successful only if it relies consistently on the fundamental aspiration of ordinary people to a peaceful and decent life.”In their words"Speech at the 56th UN General Assembly session" (2001)Read the whole statement

1996Medal of the Oriental Republic of UruguayAward1994“The dynamics of the world have changed. This creates many questions for the international community, governments, politicians and political forces.”In their words"Speech at the 49th session of the UN General Assembly" (1994)Read the whole statement

“But freeing international relations from ideology does not and must not necessarily lead to confrontation between civilizations.”In their words"Speech at the 49th session of the UN General Assembly" (1994)Read the whole statement

1930Born3 March 1930

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

Ion Iliescu (2004)

016.Vacanta-pentrecuta-in-Moldova-1976 (cropped)

019.Vacanta-pentrecuta-in-Moldova-1976 (1)

1989 Iliescu television

Bundesarchiv Bild 183-71706-0023, MS "Völkerfreundschaft", erste Fahrt

CExN al PSD - 29.05 (8) (14371091369)

CExN al PSD - 29.05 (9) (14534607506)

In their own words 9

Ion Iliescu

9 statements, newest first

The global vocation and aspirations of my country are closely related to its European destiny.
2004, "Speech at the 59th UN General Assembly session" (2004), Own words
The knowledge gap is compounded by the ubiquitous phenomenon of brain drain from the developing to the developed world. The problem is almost as old as the United Nations itself.
2001, "Speech at the 56th UN General Assembly session" (2001), Own words
Experience shows that enhanced regional cooperation can be both the engine and the result of globalization.
2001, "Speech at the 56th UN General Assembly session" (2001), Own words

Wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0

Awards

Knight of the Order of the Elephant2004

Independence Order2004

Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic2003

Collar of the Spanish Order of the Civil Merit2003

Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double Cross2002

Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay1996

Order of the White Eagle

Collar of the Order of the Star of Romania

National Order of Faithful Service

Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit

Grand Order of King Tomislav

Dostyk Order of grade I

Order of the Yugoslavian Great Star

Royal Order of the Seraphim

Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana

Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland

Order of Sikatuna

Grand Cross of the Order of Vytautas the Great

Order of Freedom of the Republic of Slovenia

Star of the Socialist Republic of Romania

Order 23rd of August

National Order of Merit

Hungarian Order of Merit

Star of the Republic of Indonesia

National Maltese Order of Merit

Grand Order of Mugunghwa

Family

Father Alexandru Iliescu

Ion Iliescu

Partners

Spouse Nina Iliescu

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About this person

Born 3 March 1930, Iliescu joined the Romanian Communist Party in 1953 and rose to its Central Committee by 1965, before Ceaușescu began pushing him aside in 1971. He played a leading role in the December 1989 revolution and immediately became president, then won Romania's first free election in May 1990. After a new constitution passed by referendum, he served from 1992 to 1996, lost to Emil Constantinescu, then returned from 2000 to 2004 - under his watch, Romania joined NATO in 2004. In April 2018 he was indicted for crimes against humanity tied to diversionary military orders during the revolution's violent aftermath; a 2020 dismissal was overturned and a trial approved in 2023. He died 5 August 2025, still the country's oldest living former president at the time.

Country

Romania

Politicians from Romania 6

Margareta of Romania55.9

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