Nicolas Grunitzky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Nicolas Grunitzky
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| 2nd President of Togo | |
| In office 13 January 1963 – 13 January 1967 |
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| Vice President | Antoine Meatchi |
| Preceded by | Emmanuel Bodjollé |
| Succeeded by | Kléber Dadjo |
| Prime Minister of Togo | |
| In office 12 September 1956 – 16 May 1958 |
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| Preceded by | none |
| Succeeded by | Sylvanus Olympio |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 April 1913 Atakpamé, Togoland |
| Died | 27 September 1969 (aged 56) Paris, France |
| Political party | Togolese Party of Progress |
Nicolas Grunitzky (French pronunciation: [nikɔla gʁynitski]) was an important leader in Togo. He was the second president of Togo, serving from 1963 to 1967. Before becoming president, he was the Prime Minister of Togo from 1956 to 1958. At that time, Togo was still under French rule.
After a military takeover (called a coup) in 1963, soldiers chose Grunitzky to be the new president. The previous president, Sylvanus Olympio, who was also Grunitzky's brother-in-law, died during this event.
Early Life and Education
Nicolas Grunitzky was born in Atakpamé, Togo, in 1913. His father was German, and his mother was from a royal Yoruba family in Togo. He studied civil engineering in Paris, France. After his studies, he worked as a public administrator. Later, he started his own company.
Political Career
Grunitzky became the secretary-general of the Togolese Party of Progress. In 1951, he was elected to the Togolese Representative Assembly. He also served in the French National Assembly from 1951 to 1958. France supported him in his political career.
On September 12, 1956, he became the Prime Minister of the Republic of Togo. His party and its allies lost the elections in May 1958. Sylvanus Olympio's party won instead. After this, Grunitzky went to live outside of Togo. This is called going into exile.
Becoming President
Togo became an independent country on April 27, 1960. Sylvanus Olympio, Grunitzky's main political rival, became the first president.
In 1963, a military coup took place. This event led to the death of President Olympio. After the coup, a group of soldiers chose Grunitzky to be the new president. This was the first military coup in West Africa after countries gained independence.
Grunitzky tried to unite Togo by including different political parties in his government. However, he was later removed from power in another military coup. This coup was led by Étienne Gnassingbé Eyadema. Grunitzky then went into exile in Paris.
Later Life and Death
In 1969, Nicolas Grunitzky was in a car accident in Côte d'Ivoire. He later died from his injuries in a hospital in Paris.
See also
In Spanish: Nicolas Grunitzky para niños
