Kurt Waldheim facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kurt Waldheim
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| 9th President of Austria | |
| In office 8 July 1986 – 8 July 1992 |
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| Chancellor | Franz Vranitzky |
| Preceded by | Rudolf Kirchschläger |
| Succeeded by | Thomas Klestil |
| 4th Secretary-General of the United Nations | |
| In office January 1, 1972 – January 1, 1982 |
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| Preceded by | U Thant |
| Succeeded by | Javier Pérez de Cuéllar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | December 21, 1918 Sankt Andrä-Wördern near Vienna, German Austria |
| Died | June 14, 2007 (aged 88) Vienna, Austria |
| Nationality | Austrian |
| Political party | Austrian People's Party |
| Spouse(s) | Elisabeth Waldheim |
| Alma mater | University of Vienna |
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Kurt Josef Waldheim (21 December 1918 – 14 June 2007) was an Austrian diplomat and politician. Waldheim was the fourth Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1972 to 1981, and President of Austria from 1986 to 1992.
While he was running for the latter office in the 1986 election, the revelation of his service in Thessaloniki, Greece and in Yugoslavia, as an intelligence officer in Nazi Germany's Wehrmacht during World War II raised international controversy.
Political career
Waldheim was an officer for Germany in the Second World War. He did not commit any War crimes, however, in his role of an officer, he must have known about the deportation of about 40.000 Jews into concentration camps. These transports, as well as the shooting of soldiers were a clear breach of law.
Because of this, he was not allowed to travel to the United States any more.
In 1990, he had a success: Saddam Hussein held several foreigners as hostages at the start of the Second Gulf War. When Waldheim heard this, he personally went to Baghdad. Through talks he could get Saddam to release the Austrian and the Swiss hostages. (both countries are neutral)
Death
On June 14, 2007, Waldheim died of heart failure. At the time of his death he was the oldest living former Secretary-General of the United Nations and the oldest living former President of Austria.
Images for kids
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Waldheim c. 1971
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Waldheim with family c. 1971
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Waldheim (2nd from left), SS General Artur Phleps (with briefcase), and others at Podgorica airfield in Montenegro during Case Black, 22 May 1943. This photograph caused much controversy when it was published while Waldheim was running in the 1986 Austrian presidential election.
 | Hypatia |
 | Agnodice |
 | Aglaonice |
 | Mary the Jewess |
