Horst Köhler, Germany’s former president and a distinguished global economist, has passed away at the age of 81.
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Officials at the German presidency confirmed that Köhler died early Saturday morning in Berlin following a short but serious illness, surrounded by his family.
Köhler, who served as Germany’s head of state from 2004 to 2010, was a respected leader with an extensive international career.
Before assuming the presidency, he held several high-profile roles, including serving as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) from 2000 to 2004.
His leadership at the IMF was marked by significant global financial reforms and efforts to stabilize emerging economies.
However, his tenure as Germany’s president ended abruptly in 2010 when he resigned following a public backlash over comments he made regarding the country’s military involvement overseas. Despite the controversy, Köhler remained a widely respected figure in German politics and economics.
Born on February 22, 1943, in Skierbieszów then under Nazi-occupied Poland Köhler’s early life was shaped by displacement.
His family, of German descent, relocated to Leipzig in East Germany before fleeing to West Germany in 1953. He later pursued higher education at the University of Tübingen, where he earned a doctorate in economics in 1977.
Throughout his career, Köhler championed economic stability and international cooperation. His passing marks the end of a remarkable legacy in German and global politics.
Germany is expected to hold a state ceremony in his honor, with tributes pouring in from political leaders worldwide.