Henry Kissinger, the renowned American statesman, scholar, and Nobel Peace Prize winner, died at his home in Connecticut at the age of 100.
Born in southern Germany in 1923, Kissinger and his family fled Nazi Germany in 1938, settling in the United States. He became an American citizen in 1943 and served in the U.S. Army during World War II, where he was awarded the Bronze Star.
A distinguished academic, Kissinger earned his bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD degrees at Harvard University, where he also taught international relations for nearly two decades. His ascent in U.S. politics began under President Nixon, first as National Security Advisor and later as Secretary of State, a role he continued under President Ford.
Kissinger’s tenure was marked by significant foreign policy achievements, including the opening to China, negotiating the end of the Yom Kippur War, and playing a key role in the Vietnam War’s resolution. He also contributed to setting Rhodesia on the path to representative government and negotiated crucial arms control agreements with the Soviet Union.
After leaving government service in 1977, Kissinger remained an influential figure in international relations, consulting for U.S. presidents and foreign leaders alike. He wrote 21 books on national security and other topics, and even in his centenary year, he actively engaged in discussions, particularly on the implications of artificial intelligence.
Kissinger is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Nancy Maginnes Kissinger, his two children from his first marriage, David and Elizabeth, and five grandchildren.
His family has announced that he will be interred at a private service, with a memorial service in New York City planned for a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family has suggested donations to the Animal Medical Center in New York or the Henry A. Kissinger Center for Global Affairs at Johns Hopkins University
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