Ferenc Mádl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ferenc Mádl
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| President of Hungary | |
| In office 4 August 2000 – 5 August 2005 |
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| Prime Minister | Viktor Orbán Péter Medgyessy Ferenc Gyurcsány |
| Preceded by | Árpád Göncz |
| Succeeded by | László Sólyom |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 22 February 1993 – 15 July 1994 |
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| Prime Minister | József Antall Péter Boross |
| Preceded by | Bertalan Andrásfalvy |
| Succeeded by | Gábor Fodor |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 29 January 1931 Bánd, Kingdom of Hungary |
| Died | 29 May 2011 (aged 80) Budapest, Hungary |
| Political party | Independent |
| Spouse | Dalma Mádl |
| Children | András |
| Signature |  |
Ferenc Mádl was a very important Hungarian legal expert, professor, and politician. He served as the President of Hungary from August 4, 2000, to August 5, 2005. Before becoming president, he was a minister in the Hungarian government.
He first worked as a minister without a specific department from 1990 to 1993. Then, he became the Minister of Education from 1993 to 1994. He was part of the governments led by József Antall and Péter Boross. In 1995, he tried to become president but was not elected. Five years later, in 2000, he was chosen as the head of state.
Contents
Ferenc Mádl: A Hungarian Leader
Early Life and Education
Ferenc Mádl was born on January 29, 1931. He studied law at the Eötvös Loránd University and earned his diploma in 1955. He continued his studies in France, focusing on international law.
He earned a special academic degree in politics and law in 1964. Later, in 1974, he received a doctorate for his work on how companies and economic competition are handled in European law.
Academic Achievements
Ferenc Mádl was a brilliant scholar. In 1987, he became a member of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. This is a very respected group of top scientists and thinkers in Hungary. He became a full member in 1993.
His main work was about civil law, which deals with private rights and relationships. He also studied international private law and legal issues related to global business. He was an expert in European law.
He held many important positions in the academic world. He was part of international groups that worked on making laws similar across different countries. He also taught as a guest professor at many universities around the world. He wrote several books and many articles about law.
Professional Journey
Ferenc Mádl started his career as a legal clerk in 1955. He then worked at the Hungarian Academy of Sciences for many years. From 1971, he taught at the Budapest University of Sciences. He became a university professor in 1973.
He was also the director of the Institute of Civil Sciences from 1978 to 1985. From 1985 until his death in 2011, he led the Faculty of Private International Law at the Budapest University of Sciences.
Entering Politics
Ferenc Mádl was not a member of any political party for most of his life. However, after Hungary became a democracy in 1989, he decided to get involved in politics.
From 1990 to 1993, he served as a minister without a specific department. In this role, he oversaw the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and helped shape the government's science policies. He also represented Hungary in international organizations.
He was involved in important projects, like the Bős-Nagymaros hydroelectric power plant project. He also led a committee to find and return artworks that were taken from Hungary during and after World War II.
From 1993 to 1994, he became the Minister for Culture and Education. In this role, he was in charge of Hungary's schools and cultural institutions. He also led the Council for Higher Education and Science.
Becoming President
In 1995, Ferenc Mádl was nominated to be President of Hungary but was not elected. However, five years later, on May 3, 2000, he was nominated again. This time, the Hungarian Parliament elected him as President of the Republic on June 6, 2000.
He officially started his job as President on August 4, 2000. His term lasted for five years, as set by the Hungarian Constitution. He decided not to run for president again when his term ended in 2005. László Sólyom became the next president.
After his presidency, Ferenc Mádl continued to work for important causes. He was an Honorary Co-Chair for the World Justice Project. This project works to make sure that the Rule of Law is strong around the world. This means that everyone, including governments, must follow the law, which helps create fair and equal communities.
Family Life
Ferenc Mádl was married to Dalma Némethy. They had one son named András and three grandchildren. His second cousin, Antal Mádl, was a literary historian and teacher.
Honors and Awards
Ferenc Mádl received many awards for his work. In 1999, he was given the Széchenyi Prize. This award recognized his important work in European law and international commercial law, as well as his efforts in higher education.
In September 1999, he also received the French order of the Légion d'honneur, which is a very high honor from France. In 2002, he received the Gold Medal of the Jean Monnet Foundation for Europe for his dedication to peace, freedom, justice, and working together in Europe.
He also received high honors from many other countries:
Poland: Order of the White Eagle (2001)
Latvia: Commander Grand Cross with Chain of the Order of Three Stars (2001)
Estonia: Collar of the Order of the Cross of Terra Mariana
Croatia: Knight Grand Cross of the Grand Order of King Tomislav (2002)
Norway: Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Olav
Italy: Knight Grand Cross with Grand Cordon of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (2002)
Albania: Received a copy of the key to the city of Tirana (2005)
Spain: Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic (2005)
Chile: Collar of the Order of Merit (2002)
Selected Books
Ferenc Mádl wrote many important books and studies. Here are some of them:
- The Law of Transactions (1982)
- State and Economy in Transformation (1997)
- EU Integration Process – Enlargement and Institutional Reforms (1997)
- Quo vadis, Európa? (2004)
Death
Ferenc Mádl passed away at the age of 80 on May 29, 2011. Many important people in Hungary expressed their sadness. The President of Hungary at the time, Pál Schmitt, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán both paid tribute to him.
His funeral was held on June 7, 2011, with military honors. He was buried in the Fiumei Street National Cemetery in Budapest.
Images for kids
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Ferenc Mádl's funeral on May 30, 2011
See also
In Spanish: Ferenc Mádl para niños
