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Kurt Waldheim

Austrian politician and diplomat (1918-2007) · Austria · Politicians · Died at 88

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The Austrian diplomat who led the United Nations for nine years, then won his country's presidency - only to have wartime intelligence service in the Wehrmacht and knowledge of Nazi atrocities surface mid-campaign, triggering international scandal.

PoliticiansPoliticianPoliticsStand UpLawAustriaEurope20th Century

A life in dates

2007Died14 June 20071986“I love him and Maria does too, and so thank you, Kurt.”In their wordsArnold Schwarzenegger at 1986 wedding reception

1978“We are men and women from many lands, representing a rich variety of cultures.”In their wordsWorld-service speech, 1978

1977United Nations Peace MedalAward1976Honorary Doctorate from the University of Nice-Sophia AntipolisAward1974“You must not expect the United Nations to accomplish miracles. We are made up of sovereign nations. We can only accomplish what our member nations allow us to accomplish.”In their words15 September 1974quoted in the article The United Nations - How Strong a World Force?, in The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 1974.

1918Born21 December 1918

Also in Deutsch

Photos 8

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In their own words 3

,
Kurt Waldheim
,
3 statements, newest first

  1. I love him and Maria does too, and so thank you, Kurt.

    1986, Arnold Schwarzenegger at 1986 wedding reception, Own words

  2. We are men and women from many lands, representing a rich variety of cultures.

    1978, World-service speech, 1978, Own words

  3. You must not expect the United Nations to accomplish miracles. We are made up of sovereign nations. We can only accomplish what our member nations allow us to accomplish.

    Sep 15, 1974, quoted in the article The United Nations - How Strong a World Force?, in The Watchtower magazine, September 15, 1974., Own words

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Awards

United Nations Peace Medal1977
Honorary Doctorate from the University of Nice-Sophia Antipolis1976
Iron Cross
Eastern Medal
War Merit Cross
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX
Order of the Smile
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George
Grand Star of the Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria
Grand Cross 1st class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany
Medal of the Crown of King Zvonimir
NASA Distinguished Public Service Medal

In their orbit

Spouse: Elisabeth Waldheim

About this person

Kurt Josef Waldheim was a member of the Nazi Party and the Sturmabteilung before entering Austrian diplomacy. He served as secretary-general of the United Nations from 1972 to 1981. During his 1986 campaign for the Austrian presidency, revelations emerged about his service in Greece and Yugoslavia during World War II and his knowledge of Nazi atrocities as an intelligence officer in the Wehrmacht. The controversy became international. He won the presidency anyway and served from 1986 to 1992. He died on 14 June 2007.

Country
Austria
Category
Politicians
Type
Politician
Status
deceased
Dates
Lived 1918 to 2007 · aged 88

In common with Kurt

Mato DukovacBoth received Medal of the Crown of King Zvonimir

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Gerald Grosz71.0Adolf Eichmann65.6Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria72.8Maximilian I of Mexico65.2Alexander Van der Bellen76.4

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