Henry Kissinger, former US secretary of state, dies aged 100
He passed away at his home in Connecticut
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Henry Kissinger, a former US secretary of state who played an imperative role during the Cold War, has died aged 100.
The former diplomat, who helped bring an end to American involvement in the Vietnam War, passed away at his home in Connecticut.
He served under former Presidents Nixon and Ford and continued to play a pivotal role in American foreign politics after leaving office in the mid-1970s.
Kissinger was born in Germany in 1923, before fleeing the Nazi regime with his family in the 1930s.
Henry Kissinger, American Secretary of State, centre, arriving at No 10 Downing Street from the Foreign Office with Foreign Secretary Sir Alec Douglas-Home, left, and US Ambassador Walter Annenberg for a working lunch with Edward Heath, 1973
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He served three years in the US Army before earning a bachelor’s, master’s and PhD, ultimately ending up teaching at Harvard.
The German-born diplomat served for eight years as a national security adviser and secretary of state.
Kissinger became well known for his realpolitik approach to foreign relations, which involved the support of some polarising regimes.
In his time in office, he also opened up relations with China and helped bring about the Vietnam War.
He also developed the idea of shuttle diplomacy, after bringing about an end of hostilities in the 1973 Yom Kippur War in the Middle East between Egypt and Syria on one hand and Israel on the other.
In 1973, he was jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his work to end the Vietnam War.
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Princess of Wales with Henry Kissinger, 1995
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However, his actions were not without criticism. Kissinger and Nixon bore the brunch of backlash from the US's allies following the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Some activists had called for him to be prosecuted for war crimes.
The former diplomat remained an active figure in politics and a prolific public commentator after he left the post in 1977.
Even after his 100th birthday in May, he attended meetings in the White House, published a book on leadership styles, and testified before a Senate committee about North Korea's nuclear threat.
In July 2023, he made a surprise visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Former US President George W Bush led tributes, saying the country had "lost one of the most dependable and distinctive voices on foreign affairs".
"When he later became Secretary of State, his appointment as a former refugee said as much about his greatness as it did America’s greatness," Bush wrote online.
Charles talks with Kissinger during the Britain In The World conference at the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, 1995
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Henry Kissinger at an American Embassy Press conference at the end of his one-day visit to London, 1974
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"He worked in the Administrations of two Presidents and counselled many more. I am grateful for that service and advice, but I am most grateful for his friendship.
"Laura and I will miss his wisdom, his charm, and his humour. And we will always be thankful for the contributions of Henry Kissinger."
President Richard Nixon's daughters, Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower, said that Kissinger's life story was "so unique - and so thoroughly American".
"Henry Kissinger will long be remembered for his many achievements in advancing the cause of peace," the statement said. "But it was his character that we will never forget."
New York Mayor Eric Adams said, "you could feel his presence when he entered a room".
"Kissinger fled Nazi Germany to become a Nobel Laureate and one of the most consequential diplomatic leaders of the 20th century.
"His legacy continues to shape our world. On behalf of New York City, I offer my condolences to his family and loved ones."
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