Elisabeth Waldheim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Elisabeth Waldheim
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| First Lady of Austria | |
| In role 8 July 1986 – 8 July 1992 |
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| President | Kurt Waldheim |
| Preceded by | Herma Kirchschläger |
| Succeeded by | Edith Klestil |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Elisabeth Ritschel
13 April 1922 Vienna, Austria |
| Died | 28 February 2017 (aged 94) Vienna, Austria |
| Spouse | Kurt Waldheim (1944–2007, his death) |
| Children | Lieselotte Gerhard Christa |
Elisabeth "Sissy" Waldheim (born Ritschel; 13 April 1922 – 28 February 2017) was an important Austrian public figure. She was the wife of Kurt Waldheim, who served as the Secretary-General of the United Nations and later as the President of Austria. Elisabeth Waldheim herself was the First Lady of Austria from 1986 to 1992.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Elisabeth Ritschel was born in Vienna, Austria, on April 13, 1922. She was the oldest of three sisters. Her father, Wilhelm Ritschel, and her mother, Hildegard, raised her in Vienna. Her grandfather on her father's side was a military officer in the old imperial army. After the Habsburg empire ended, he became a businessman. Elisabeth was given her name after a famous Austrian empress, Elisabeth of Bavaria, and was often called "Sissy" by her family and friends.
Education and Meeting Kurt Waldheim
Elisabeth decided to study law at the University of Vienna. It was there that she first met Kurt Waldheim, who would later become her husband. They married on August 19, 1944, during the middle of the Second World War. Their first daughter, Lieselotte, was born in 1945. During her youth, Elisabeth was involved in some youth organizations that were common in Austria and Germany at that time.
Supporting a Diplomatic Career
Elisabeth Waldheim chose to leave her own job to fully support her husband's career in diplomacy and politics. Kurt Waldheim became the Foreign Minister of Austria and then served as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, a very important global role.
Becoming First Lady
In 1986, Kurt Waldheim was elected President of Austria. This meant that Elisabeth Waldheim became the First Lady of Austria. In this role, she supported her husband in his duties and represented Austria alongside him. She was known for speaking German, English, and French, which was very helpful in her public life.
Family Life
Elisabeth and Kurt Waldheim had three children together. Their daughter, Lieselotte Waldheim-Natural, followed in her father's footsteps and works for the United Nations. Their second daughter, Christa Waldheim-Karas, became an artist. She is married to Othmar Karas, who is an Austrian Member of the European Parliament. Their son, Gerhard Waldheim, works as an investment banker.
Elisabeth Waldheim passed away on February 28, 2017, at the age of 94.
Images for kids
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Kurt Waldheim with his family around 1971.
