Henry Kissinger, the influential American diplomat, Nobel Peace Prize laureate, and former Secretary of State, passed away at 100 at his Connecticut home.
Renowned for shaping U.S. foreign policy under Presidents Nixon and Ford, Kissinger was a key figure in major global events such as the U.S. diplomatic opening with China, the U.S.-Soviet arms control talks, and the Paris Peace Accords with North Vietnam.
His tenure marked a shift in U.S. diplomacy, but also garnered controversy, particularly regarding his support for anti-communist regimes in Latin America.
Despite this, he remained a prominent voice in international relations, contributing to policy discussions and publishing works on leadership and global threats.
A Jewish refugee from Germany, Kissinger's journey to the pinnacle of American diplomacy began with his family's move to the United States in 1938.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, later attending Harvard University, where he earned his master's and doctorate degrees and joined the faculty.
Kissinger's diplomatic legacy is complex, intertwining significant achievements with contentious decisions, reflecting the multifaceted challenges of global politics during the Cold War era.
His death marks the end of a significant chapter in U.S. diplomatic history.