Jo Benkow facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jo Benkow
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| President of the Storting | |
| In office 9 October 1985 – 30 September 1993 |
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| Monarch | Olav V Harald V |
| Prime Minister | Kåre Willoch Gro Harlem Brundtland Jan P. Syse |
| Vice President | Reiulf Steen Kirsti Kolle Grøndahl |
| Preceded by | Per Hysing-Dahl |
| Succeeded by | Kirsti Kolle Grøndahl |
| Conservative Parliamentary leader | |
| In office 1 October 1981 – 30 September 1985 |
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| Prime Minister | Kåre Willoch |
| Leader | Himself Erling Norvik |
| Preceded by | Kåre Willoch |
| Succeeded by | Jan P. Syse |
| Leader of the Conservative Party | |
| In office 4 May 1980 – 25 August 1984 |
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| First Deputy | Håkon Randal |
| Second Deputy | Astrid Gjertsen Kaci Kullmann Five |
| Preceded by | Erling Norvik |
| Succeeded by | Erling Norvik |
| First Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party | |
| In office 16 April 1978 – 4 May 1980 |
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| Leader | Erling Norvik |
| Preceded by | Lars T. Platou |
| Succeeded by | Håkon Randal |
| Second Deputy Leader of the Conservative Party | |
| In office 12 May 1974 – 16 April 1978 |
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| Leader | Erling Norvik |
| Preceded by | Per Hysing-Dahl |
| Succeeded by | Astrid Gjertsen |
| Member of the Norwegian Parliament | |
| In office 1 October 1965 – 30 September 1993 |
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| Constituency | Akershus |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Josef Elias Benkowitz
15 August 1924 Trondheim, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway |
| Died | 18 May 2013 (aged 88) Oslo, Norway |
| Political party | Conservative |
| Spouse | Annelise Høegh |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | photographer |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Norway |
| Branch/service | Air Force |
Jo Benkow (born Josef Elias Benkowitz; 15 August 1924 – 18 May 2013) was a famous Norwegian politician and writer. He was a very important person in the Conservative Party of Norway. From 1985 to 1993, he served as the President of the Parliament, also known as the Speaker. He was also the President of the Nordic Council in 1983.
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Early Life and Challenges
Jo Benkow was born in Trondheim, Norway. His parents were Ivan Benkow and Annie Louise Florence. When he was a child, his family moved to Bærum, a town near Oslo.
Jo Benkow was part of the small Jewish community in Norway. Growing up, he faced difficulties because of his background. In 1942, during World War II, Norway was occupied by the Nazis. To escape danger, Jo fled to Sweden.
Sadly, his mother and sister were taken by the Nazis from Norway. They were later killed in Auschwitz. Jo managed to reach the United Kingdom. There, he joined the Royal Norwegian Air Force and served his country.
After the war ended, Jo Benkow returned to Norway. He followed in his father's footsteps and became a photographer. In 1952, he married Bjørg Gerda Folkestad. Later, in 1985, he married fellow politician Annelise Høegh.
Political Career and Achievements
In 1965, Jo Benkow was elected to the Parliament of Norway. He represented the Conservative Party. He quickly became a key figure in parliament.
He held several important roles within his party. He was the leader of the Conservative Party from 1980 to 1984. He also led the Conservative Party group in parliament from 1981 to 1985.
His most notable role was becoming the President of the Storting (Speaker of Parliament). He started this job on 9 October 1985. He held this position until he retired on 30 September 1993. He served in parliament for a total of 28 years.
Beyond Norway, Benkow was also involved in international work. He served as president of the International Helsinki Federation for Human Rights. This organization works to protect human rights around the world. He also taught about international relations at Boston University.
Author and Speaker
Jo Benkow was a talented writer. He wrote several books about human rights and the modern monarchy in Norway. His autobiography, Fra Synagogen til Løvebakken (From the Synagogue to Løvebakken), was published in 1985. It sold 250,000 copies in Norway and won him the Norwegian Booksellers' Prize. Løvebakken is a place near the Norwegian Parliament.
Another very popular book he wrote was Olav – menneske og monark (Olav – Man and Monarch). This book was based on many conversations he had with his friend, King Olav V.
Benkow was also a popular speaker. He often gave talks about the Middle East and Anti-Semitism. He passed away on 18 May 2013, in an Oslo hospital, at the age of 88.
Awards and Recognition
Jo Benkow received many awards for his service and contributions:
- Defence Medal 1940–1945
- Norwegian Booksellers' Prize, 1985
- Grand Cross of the Order of the White Rose of Finland, 1990
- Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold for Services to the Republic of Austria, 1996
- Knights of the Order of St. Olav, 1998
Books by Jo Benkow
- Fra synagogen til Løvebakken (1985); From Synagogue to Parliament
- Folkevalgt (1988); Elected by the People
- Haakon, Maud og Olav. Et minnealbum i tekst og bilder (1989); Haakon, Maud and Olav. A Memorial Album of Text and Images
- Hundre år med konge og folk (1990); A Hundred Years with King and Nation
- Olav – menneske og monark (1991); Olav – Man and Monarch
- Det ellevte bud (1994, with afterword by Elie Wiesel); The Eleventh Commandment
See also
In Spanish: Jo Benkow para niños
