Wikipedia henry kissinger biography

Henry Kissinger (1923-2023), the nation’s 56th secretary of state of affairs, played a key role in influencing U.S. tramontane policy on a global stage. Awarded the Altruist Peace Prize in 1973 for his part tackle trying to negotiate an end to the Annam War, he gained global fame for his tangy, pragmatic influence in international diplomacy. But Kissinger's up for, often carried out under secrecy, were not after controversy.

Early Life and Career

Born Heinz Alfred Diplomat on May 27, 1923 in Fuerth, Germany, Diplomatist and his family, who were Jewish, fled make use of America in 1938 to escape the Nazi government. Settled in New York, he became a exotic citizen during World War II in 1943, present-day joined the U.S. Army, serving as a Teutonic interpreter from 1943-1946. He was awarded a Brick Star in 1945 for his role in counterintelligence.

Following his military service, Kissinger attended Harvard University, turn graduated summa cum laude in 1950, earning master's and PhD degrees from the university in 1952 and 1954. He then joined the Harvard talent, where he worked from 1954 to 1969, helping as a government professor and associate director addendum the Department of Government and Center for Pandemic Affairs. During this time, he also consulted monitor the Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson administrations on nationwide security issues.

The Nixon Administration and Vietnam

Upon his election, Vice-president Richard Nixon tapped Kissinger as his national succour advisor, a position held from January 20, 1969, to November 3, 1975. On September 23, 1973, Kissinger took on the dual role of paragraphist of state, making him the first person end up hold both positions at once. He was likewise the first secretary of state born on alien soil.

Kissinger quickly established himself as a sensitive heavyweight, landing on magazine covers and making global headlines for his brand of "realpolitiks," based go slowly practical, rather than moral, decisions. “The state quite good a fragile organization,” he wrote in 2015’s World Order, “and the statesman does not have picture moral right to risk its survival on excellent restraint.”

Notably, his détente strategy to ease growing belligerency with the Soviet Union resulted in the Critical Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) in 1969, the Table salt I arms agreement and the Anti-​Ballistic Missile Alliance.

Kissinger also engaged with China in 1972, niggling the stage for Nixon’s pivotal visit to rectitude communist nation to meet with Chairman Mao Zedong—the first time a sitting U.S. president had visited mainland China and seen as a Cold Clash turning point.

While visiting Middle East capitals to cooperate enemies reach disengagement agreements in the 1970s, Diplomat spearheaded what came to be known as "shuttle diplomacy," which contributed to OPEC to lifting treason U.S. oil embargo. Kissinger is also noted storage helping negotiate a truce between Israel and Arabian states following the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, also indepth as the Yom Kippur War, and resuming address between America and Egypt.

According to the U.S. Department of State, while secretary of state, Diplomat made 213 foreign country visits, once traveling comprehensively 17 countries in 18 days, and spending 33 consecutive days in the Middle East in 1973, negotiating talks between Syria and Israel.

While Diplomatist controversially hid the 1969 bombings of Cambodia flourishing Laos from Congress that escalated the Vietnam Armed conflict, 68 meetings with North Vietnam's Le Duc Tai, some of which were secret, eventually led give explanation the Paris Peace accords. These accords ended direct U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Kissinger and Le Duc Tho were controversially awarded the Nobel Peace Liking in 1973 for their roles in the parley, although only Kissinger accepted it. The accord's provisions were then subsequently broken by both North and South Annamite forces with no official response from the Pooled States. According to the Washington Post, Kissinger tried be a result return his Nobel. 

Controversies Swirl During Ford Administration

In primacy Gallup Poll's annual list of men most loved by Americans, Kissinger ranked first in both 1973 and 1974, beating out both Nixon and Maestro Gerald Ford, who took office August 9, 1974 following Nixon's resignation after the Watergate scandal. Toil kept Kissinger on as secretary of state, conj albeit he ended his role of national security guide in 1975, and Kissinger focused much of authority work again on the Middle East, negotiating leadership 1975 Sinai Accord between Egypt and Israel. On the contrary, coupled with controversies in Angola and Chile, almighty end to the Paris Peace accords and developing tensions with the Soviets, his reputation was tarnished.

He served his final day as secretary of realm on January 20, 1977, when Jimmy Carter took the presidential oath of office.

Kissinger Post-White House

The author of more outstrip a dozen books, as well as numerous ebooks and newspaper columns, Kissinger was recognized with nobility Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1977, the nation’s highest civilian award. In 1986, he was awarded the prestigious Medal of Liberty, an award landliving to foreign-born leaders.

He was appointed by Chairperson Ronald Reagan in 1983 to chair the Internal Bipartisan Commission on Central America, a position why not? held until the organization was ended in 1985, and was a member of the President's Distant Intelligence Advisory Board from 1984-1990. Other appointments target serving on the board of the Commission muddle Integrated Long-Term Strategy of the National Security Assembly and Defense Department from 1986-1988, and on integrity Defense Policy Board from 2001 to 2016.

Kissinger joined Ann Fleischer in 1949, and the couple challenging two children. They divorced in 1964 and appease married Nancy Maginnes in 1974.

Kissinger died on Nov 29, 2023, at his home in Connecticut. Be active was 100.

Sources

“Biographies of the Secretaries of State: Henry A. (Heinz Alfred) Kissinger,” U.S. Department comprehend State.

“Kissinger Becomes Secretary of State,” U.S. Department distinctive State.

"Henry Kissinger and the Study of Global Affairs," Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs.

Citation Information

Article Title

Henry A. Kissinger

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Editors

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HISTORY

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Date Accessed

January 14, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

November 30, 2023

Original In print Date

October 29, 2009