Henry Kissinger Biography: Age, Family, Wife, and Political Career

The 56th United States Secretary of State and a diplomat, political scientist, geopolitical consultant, and politician, Henry Kissinger was a German-born American. He served as the United States Secretary of State and national security advisor of Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford between 1969 to 1977.

This multi-talented personality also served in the U.S. Army during World War II and came to the United States as a Jewish refugee fleeing Nazi persecution in 1938. Henry was also an expert on nuclear weapons and foreign policy.

In 1973, Henry received the Nobel Peace Prize under controversial circumstances after negotiating the Paris Peace Accords and ending American involvement in the Vietnam War. 

Continue reading the article to know details about Henry Kissinger biography, career, family, early life, wife, and death.

Henry Kissinger Biography: Age and Early Life

Nobel prize winner and an American hero, Henry Kissinger was born on May 27, 1923, in Furth, Bavaria, Germany. This 56th United States Secretary of State lived up to the age of 100.

American Politician, Henry Kissinger
American Politician, Henry Kissinger

As he was born in Germany, Henry spent his early life and childhood in Germany. He pursued his education at George Washington High School at night while he used to work all day at a shaving brush factory.

After completion of high school, Kissinger enrolled at the City College of New York as a part-time student. However, he couldn’t complete his college due to his involvement in the U.S. Army.

Henry Kissinger Wikipedia

Full NameHenry Alfred Kissinger
Nick NameThe American Metternich
Date of Birth27 May 1923
Date of Death29 November 2023
Birth PlaceFurth, Bavaria, Germany
Zodiac SignGemini
EthnicityWhite
ReligionJewish
NationalityGermany (until 1935)
Stateless (1935-1943)
United States (from 1943)
EducationHigh School Graduate
Net Worth$50 Million

Henry Kissinger Family: Ethnicity and Nationality

7th United States National Security Advisor, Henry Kissinger was born in a Jewish family to Louis Kissinger (father) and Paula (mother). His father was a school teacher while her mother was a homemaker. 

He grew up along with his parents and a younger brother, Walter who was a businessman. During his childhood, he used to be bitten often by Nazi people and his family had to survive in threats. To get away from the Nazis, the Kissinger family fled Germany on August 20, 1938, when Henry was 15 years old to New York City.

Furthermore, Henry Kissinger belongs to the white ethnic groups and holds multiple nationalities from Germany and the United States.

Henry Kissinger’s Father, Mother, Sister, and Brother

FatherMr. Louis Kissinger
MotherMrs. Paula
BrotherWalter Kissinger

Henry Kissinger Height, Weight, and Physical Appearance

HeightIn Feet Inches: 5’ 8’’
In Meters: 1.73 m.
In Centimeters: 173 cm.
Hair ColorGray
Eye ColorBrown

Henry Kissinger’s Wife and Kids

One of the renowned politicians of the United States, Henry Kissinger was married to Anneliese “Ann” Fleischer on February 6, 1949. The couple was blessed with two children, Elizabeth Kissinger and David Kissinger.

Henry Kissinger with Wife
Henry Kissinger with Wife

Sadly, the couple were divorced in 1964 due to their personal reasons. After that, Henry met Austrian poet Ingeborg Bachmann in 1955 and had a good connection. Eventually, Henry and Ingeborg began dating romantically which lasted several years, and converted into marriage on March 30, 1974.

The couple lived in Kent, Connecticut along with their son, David who was an executive with NBC Universal Television Studio and then became head of Conaco, Conan O’Brien’s production company in 2005.

Henry Kissinger Wife and Children

Marital StatusMarried
WifeAnneliese “Ann” Fleischer (1949-1964)
Ingeborg Bachmann (1974-2023)
Marriage DateMarch 30, 1974
ChildrenElizabeth Kissinger
David Kissinger

Henry Kissinger’s Career and Profession

Henry intentionally or unintentionally, became a U.S. Army at the age of 20 and volunteered for hazardous intelligence duties during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he was made commandant of the Bensheim in June 1945. 

Well, talking roughly about his lifelong career, this person has achieved many big things in his life. Henry was born in Germany, he contributed a lot to the United States becoming the 56th United States Secretary of States from September 22, 1973, to January 20, 1977. 

Similarly, On January 20, 1969, Henry became the 7th United States National Security Advisor and served till November 3, 1975. Furthermore, he also became the 22nd Chancellor of the College of William & Mary from July 1, 2000, to October 1, 2005.

Nonetheless, Kissinger also was the Chair of the 9/11 Commission from November 27, 2002, to December 14, 2002.

Henry Kissinger Awards

  • U.S. Senator John Heinz Award in 1973.
  • The Presidential Medal of Freedom on January 13, 1977.
  • The National Book Award in 1980.
  • The Medal of Liberty in 1986.
  • The Sylvanus Thayer Award in 2000.
  • Israel’s President’s Medal on March 1, 2012.
  • Henry A. Grunwald Award in October 2013.
  • Theodore Roosevelt American Experience Award in 2009.
  • The Ellis Island Medal of Honor
  • Bavarian Maximilian Order for Science and Art in 2023.

Henry Kissinger Death

This American hero, the 56th United States Secretary of State, 7th United States National Security Advisor, 22nd Chancellor of the College of William & Mary, and Chair of the 9/11 Commission, Henry Kissinger died on November 29, 2023, at his home in Kent, Connecticut.

His death was announced by Kissinger Associates and his consulting firm. Also, his funeral would be held privately by a memorial service in New York City.

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Frequently Asked Questions 

Who is Henry Kissinger?

German-American diplomat, political scientist, geopolitical consultant, and politician.

When did Henry Kissinger die?

November 29, 2023.

How old was Henry Kissinger during his death?

100 years old.

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