Romania’s first post-Communist president Ion Iliescu passes away at 95

Ion Iliescu, Romania’s first president following the fall of communism and one of the country’s most enduring and controversial political figures, passed away on August 5, at the age of 95.

The Romanian government announced his death in an official statement, extending condolences to his family and noting that details regarding his state funeral would be released in due course, Caliber.Az reports, citing Romanian media.

Iliescu had been hospitalized in intensive care since June 10. A week later, doctors diagnosed him with lung cancer, and he underwent a surgical procedure to assist his breathing. Although he initially responded to treatment and remained in stable condition for several weeks, his health deteriorated over the weekend. The “Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu” Emergency Clinical Hospital confirmed that Iliescu had entered critical condition due to multiple organ failure.

“With deep regret, the government announces the passing of the former president of Romania, Mr. Ion Iliescu. The former head of state passed away today, August 5, 2025, at the ‘Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu’ Emergency Clinical Hospital. The government of Romania extends its condolences to his family and all those close to him,” the government’s statement reads.

Born in 1930 in the town of Oltenița, Iliescu was raised in a politically charged environment. His father, a communist militant who spent time both in the Soviet Union and in prison, shaped Iliescu’s early ideological leanings. He joined the communist youth movement in 1944 and later studied engineering in Moscow during the 1950s — a period that solidified his place among Romania’s political elite.

Ion Iliescu won presidential elections in 1990 and 1992, lost in 1996, but returned to power in 2000 after defeating nationalist leader Corneliu Vadim Tudor. He completed his political career with a final term as senator from 2004 to 2008. 

By Vafa Guliyeva