Former German President Horst Köhler dies at 81 after serious illness

Horst Köhler, the former President of Germany, has passed away at the age of 81, the German head of state's office confirmed in a statement from his family.

"Horst Köhler passed away early this morning at the age of 81 after a brief but serious illness, surrounded by his family in Berlin," the statement read, per Caliber.Az.

The chancellery indicated that details about the funeral would be provided at a later time.

Köhler served as Germany's ninth president from 2004 to 2010. Born in 1943 in Skerbeszów, Poland, he was the seventh of eight children. His family fled to Ludwigsburg during the Soviet advance in World War II. Köhler later studied economic sciences at the University of Tübingen and earned a doctorate.

His professional career began in 1976 with the German Ministry of Economics, and he later became State Secretary in the Ministry of Finance. In 2000, Köhler was appointed Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a position he held until 2004 when he was elected President of Germany.

Köhler championed the idea of Germany as a "country of ideas," aiming to shape its future and act as a global force for good. His domestic focus was on creating stable, long-term jobs, while in foreign policy, he advocated for a fair globalization that prioritized the welfare of all people. He also warned against unregulated financial capitalism. In his inaugural address, Köhler famously stated, "For me, the fate of humanity in our world depends on the fate of Africa," emphasizing the continent’s importance for global development.

Although re-elected for a second term in 2009, Köhler resigned in 2010 following a controversy over his comments regarding Germany's military missions abroad.

By Tamilla Hasanova