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Horst Koehler, who served as Germany’s president from 2004 to 2010, passed away at the age of 81 following a brief illness, according to official announcements.
“With the death of Horst Koehler, we have lost a highly esteemed and extremely popular person who achieved great things — for our country and in the world,” President Frank-Walter Steinmeier wrote in a letter addressed to Koehler’s widow.
🚨 Breaking News:
Former German President Horst Köhler has passed away at 81 after a brief illness. Köhler, who served from 2004 to 2010, was widely respected for his leadership. President Steinmeier: "We have lost a highly esteemed and extremely popular person." pic.twitter.com/feMRrnpfxK— cirka news (@CirkaNews) February 1, 2025
The former president spent his final moments in Berlin, surrounded by his loved ones during the early hours.
Breaking from tradition, Koehler became the first German president without a background in politics, bringing his expertise as an economist to the role. Prior to his presidency, he led the International Monetary Fund in Washington and held various positions in civil service and banking sectors.
His journey to becoming Germany’s head of state, a largely ceremonial position, began with a nomination from then-opposition leader Angela Merkel, who later became chancellor. Despite being relatively unknown initially, Steinmeier noted that Koehler quickly earned widespread public admiration and support.
After securing a second term in 2009, Koehler’s presidency came to an unexpected end in May 2010. His resignation followed controversial comments in an interview that some interpreted as supporting German military deployment overseas to protect trade routes.
Throughout his tenure, Koehler consistently emphasized Germany’s potential and its people’s innovative spirit. He championed the nation as a “land of ideas” destined to shape its future while contributing positively to global affairs.
African affairs held particular significance in Koehler’s diplomatic focus, as noted by Sven Behnke, who heads the former president’s office. “He never tired of pointing out the importance and potential of the African continent for global development,” Behnke wrote. “For him, engaging with Africa seemed not only wise and forward-looking, but also ethically imperative.”
From 2017 to 2019, Koehler served as the UN envoy to Western Sahara, working to resolve the long-standing conflict between Morocco and the Polisario Front. His international influence extended to advising on global development initiatives beyond 2015 as part of a panel established by former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in 2012.
Reflecting on Koehler’s legacy, Steinmeier acknowledged his substantial contributions to Germany, describing him as “a stroke of luck for our country.”
