Here are some facts on American diplomat Henry Kissinger, who died at age 100 on Wednesday.
– **Early Life and Immigration:**
– Henry Kissinger, born Heinz Alfred Kissinger, on May 27, 1923, in Germany.
– Faced anti-Semitic bullying; his family migrated to New York in 1938.
– Became a naturalized American in 1943.
– **World War II Service:**
– Served in the U.S. Army’s 84th Infantry Division during World War II.
– Worked as a translator in intelligence operations, received a Bronze Star.
– Helped round up Gestapo members in his homeland.
– **Political Career:**
– Joined Richard Nixon’s administration in 1969 as national security adviser.
– Continued as national security adviser under Gerald Ford.
– Also served as secretary of state under Nixon and Ford.
– **Global Impact:**
– Played a significant role in 1970s global events, including the Vietnam War and U.S.-Soviet arms control talks.
– Involved in diplomatic opening of China and expanded ties between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
– **Controversial Nobel Prize:**
– Awarded the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize with Le Duc Tho for Paris peace talks on U.S. troop withdrawal.
– Controversial; two Nobel committee members resigned, and Tho declined the prize.
– **Personal Life and Image:**
– Associated with various actresses during his bachelor days.
– Playboy image deemed a media creation by those who knew him.
– ️ **Post-Presidential Administration:**
– Last worked in a presidential administration in 1977.
– Maintained a relationship with George W. Bush, led a commission on the 9/11 attacks but resigned.
– ⚖️ **Allegations and Controversies:**
– Accused of involvement in the Argentine “dirty war” against leftist dissidents.
– Declassified documents showed ambiguous support for the military during the 1976 coup.
– **Satirical Legacy:**
– Tom Lehrer famously quipped that political satire became obsolete when Kissinger received the Nobel Peace Prize.
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