Profession: Chancellor of West Germany

Biography: Konrad Adenauer served as the first Chancellor of West Germany from 1949 to 1963. He is considered one of the most important political figures in modern German history, known for leading the country's recovery after World War II and helping to establish the European Union.

Adenauer studied law and politics at university before working as a lawyer in his hometown of Cologne. During the Weimar Republic, he served as Mayor of Cologne from 1917 to 1933 and was also President of the Prussian State Council.

When the Nazis came to power in 1933, Adenauer was dismissed as Mayor due to his opposition to their policies. He was imprisoned twice during the Nazi era and lived in seclusion until the end of World War II.

After the war, Adenauer founded the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) political party in 1946 and became the first Chancellor of West Germany in 1949.

As Chancellor, Adenauer focused on rebuilding the country's economy and establishing strong ties with Western powers. He signed the Treaty of Rome in 1957, which was a key step in the creation of the European Union. Adenauer also worked to integrate West Germany into NATO and initiated reparations to Israel for the Holocaust.

During his time as Chancellor, Adenauer implemented several important domestic policies, such as pension reforms and housing programs. He worked closely with other world leaders, including Winston Churchill on European integration and Charles de Gaulle on improving relations between Germany and France. During the Berlin crisis, however, he had a strained relationship with United States President John F. Kennedy.

Adenauer resigned as Chancellor in 1963 but remained chairman of the CDU until 1966. He died in 1967 at the age of 91, and in 2003 was voted the greatest German of all time in a public poll.

Born: January 5, 1876
Birthplace: Cologne, Germany
Star Sign: Capricorn

Died: April 19, 1967 (aged 91)
Cause of Death: Heart failure

Historical Events

• 1949-09-12 Theodor Heuss elected 1st President of the German Federal Republic (West Germany) with Konrad Adenauer the 1st Prime Minister
• 1952-03-27 Failed assassination attempt of West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer
• 1952-09-11 West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer signs a reparation pact for the Jewish people
• 1953-09-06 Konrad Adenauer's CDU wins elections in German Federal Republic
• 1953-10-09 Konrad Adenauer elected Chancellor of West Germany
• 1957-09-15 Konrad Adenauer's CDU wins parliamentary election in West Germany
• 1957-10-22 Konrad Adenauer re-elected Chancellor of West Germany
• 1963-10-02 West German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer condemns western grain shipments to USSR
• 1963-10-15 Ludwig Erhard succeeds Konrad Adenauer as Chancellor of West Germany

Personal Life

• 1904-01-28 German chancellor Konrad Adenauer (28) weds Emma Weyer at St. Stephan Catholic Church in Lindenthal, Germany
• 1919-09-26 German chancellor Konrad Adenauer (43) weds Auguste Zinsser in Cologne, Germany

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