WASHINGTON. Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, a towering figure in Cold War-era foreign policy, has passed away at the age of 100 at his Connecticut home. Born in Germany in 1923, Kissinger, the son of a school teacher, fled the Nazis with his family in 1938, eventually becoming a US citizen in 1943. After serving in the US Army and the Counter Intelligence Corps, he pursued higher education, teaching international relations at Harvard.
Kissinger’s diplomatic career reached its zenith when President Richard Nixon appointed him national security adviser in 1969, granting him significant influence over US foreign policy. His tenure as both national security adviser and secretary of state (1969-77) saw the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the normalization of relations with China, and his innovative use of shuttle diplomacy in the Middle East during the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
While celebrated for these accomplishments, Kissinger’s legacy is marred by controversy. Critics accused him of war crimes due to the bombing campaign in Cambodia during the Vietnam War, leading to the death of over 50,000 civilians. His focus on power dynamics and realpolitik also drew criticism for supporting repressive regimes, including that of Augusto Pinochet in Chile.
Tributes to Kissinger have been mixed, with former US President George W Bush praising his distinctive voice on foreign affairs, while critics have highlighted his alleged war crimes. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair described him as an artist of diplomacy motivated by a genuine love for the free world.
In China, where Kissinger enjoyed enduring popularity, news of his death quickly trended on social media. He was referred to as “an old friend of the Chinese people” by China News, and China Central Television hailed him as a “legendary diplomat” for his role in US-China relations.
Kissinger’s post-government career was marked by prolific commentary, advisory roles for multiple US presidents, and board memberships in various companies. Despite turning 100, he maintained an active lifestyle, including a surprise visit to Beijing in July 2022, where he met Chinese President Xi Jinping, causing tensions with the White House.
In a recent interview at the age of 99, Kissinger reflected on his decisions, stating, “I’ve been thinking about these problems all my life. It’s my hobby as well as my occupation.” He leaves behind a legacy of complex diplomatic achievements, surviving his wife of nearly 50 years, Nancy Maginnes Kissinger, two children from a previous marriage, and five grandchildren.
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