Helmut Kohl Biography
Dr Helmut Kohl is a former German Chancellor and a vastly experienced keynote speaker. His vast experience of politics and international affairs means his subject matters are relevant and insightful.
Helmut Kohl's Background
He was born in Ludwigshafen on 3 April 1930 and was married (1960-2001) to Hannelore Kohl, née Renner, with two sons.
He went to primary and grammar school, gained general higher education qualification in 1950. From 1950 to 1958, Helmut studied law, sociology, political science and history at the universities of Frankfurt am Main and Heidelberg. He was research assistant in the department of politics at the Alfred Weber Institute of the University of Heidelberg, and gained a Ph.D in 1958 (doctoral thesis on Political Development in the Palatinate and the Resurrection of the Parties after 1945). From 1959 to 1969 worked as a clerk for an employers' association.
Politician and Leader
Since 1947: member of the CDU. 1966 to 1973: CDU chairman in Rhineland-Palatinate. 1966: member of the national executive of the CDU. 1969: deputy chairman of the CDU national executive. From 1973 to 7 November 1998: chairman of the CDU national executive.
1960 to 1966: member and chairman of the CDU group on Ludwigshafen city council. 1959 to 1969: member of the state parliament in Rhineland-Palatinate. 1963 to 1969: chairman of the CDU group in the Rhineland-Palatinate parliament. 1969 to 1976: Minister-President of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Member of the German Bundestag from 1976 to 2002, from December 1976 to October 1982 leader of the Opposition as chairman of the CDU/CSU group in the Bundestag. From 1 October 1982 to 27 October 1998 Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany.
Awards and Recognition
- Grand Cross first class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany special edition;
- Grand Cross first class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany;
- International Charlemagne Prize of the City of Aachen (together with Francois Mitterrand);
- honorary citizen of the City of Berlin;
- honorary citizen of Europe, conferred by the European Council of Heads of State and Government of the European Union;
- Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest US civil honour, conferred by Bill Clinton, President of the United States of America;
- named Statesman of the Year by the EastWest Institute New York, award presented by George Bush, former US President;
- George Bush Award for Exzellence in Public Service, award presented by George Bush Presidential Library Foundation;
- the first of Alcide-de-Gasperi-Award (as the first award-winner);
- Cross of Terra Mariana 1st class of Estonia, awarded by the government of Estonia; European Award Charles V.; Dr. h.c. mult.;
- honorary professor of Tongji University, Shanghai
For further information or to book Helmut Kohl, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Helmut Kohl News
A selection of relevant news related to Helmut Kohl, Keynote Speakers, International Speakers, Leadership Speakers and Political Speakers stories. For more information on Helmut Kohl or details as to how to book Helmut Kohl for your corporate event, please contact one of the Speakers Corner booking agents on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
Barroso, Kohl and Esperanto contenders for Nobel Peace Prize
18th February 2008
European Commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso, Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, ex-German chancellor Helmut Kohl and Esperanto are seen as contenders for the Nobel Peace Prize
Roger Martin Speaking at World Economic Forum
16th January 2013
Roger Martin is due to speak at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, along with Joseph Stiglitz and Tim Berners-Lee.
Valery Giscard d’Estaing Talks Political Organization in Europe
27th June 2012
Valery Giscard d’Estaing, keynote speaker and former President of France, visited Peking University to attend the opening ceremony for the Global Public Policy Executive Training Program, to discuss the Political Organization of Europe.
Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World
24th April 2012
Time magazine has announced its 100 most influential people in the word, in a list including entertainers, businesspeople, political leaders, sporting figures and controversial personalities.
David Cameron and Bill Gates Pledge To Eradicate Polio as Davos Draws To A Close
31st January 2011
In a statement jointly issued by David Cameron and Bill Gates, Britain has promised to double its funding to fight the crippling disease polio.
George Bush is the latest recruit to the US motivational speaker circuit
26th October 2009
George Bush is the United State's newest and most controversial motivational speaker. He will deliver the headline keynote speech for the Get Motivated seminar in Texas today, alongside former Secretary of State Colin Powell, former Mayor of New York Rudy Guiliani and Microsoft's President, Rick Belluzzo
Time Magazines 100 Most Influential People Announced
1st May 2009
Gordon Brown, Boris Johnson and Michael Eavis are among the most influential 100 figures in the world, according to Time Magazine's annual list. Gordon Brown manages to feature twice as all entrants have a profile written about them by a third party. Mr. Brown's honour was to write the profile for President Barack Obama
Global Leaders Prepare for Washington Summit
13th November 2008
The Group-of-20 leaders, representing the world's major industrialized nations and large developing countries, will meet in Washington this weekend to discuss measures to restore global financial stability.
Self-Help Books; A Billion Dollar Industry
30th April 2013
Self-help books are increasingly popular among the British public than ever before and an increased number of us are turning to self help books in the hope that they will solve lives problems.
Noreena Hertz Finishes New Book
4th April 2013
Keynote speaker and leading futurist, Noreena Hertz has finished her most recent book, which will be published in the US and the UK in September 2013.
For further information or to book Helmut Kohl, call us on +44 (0)20 7607 7070 or email info@speakerscorner.co.uk
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