Who are Henry Kissinger's children? Diplomatic powerhouse's son penned heartfelt letter for his 100 birthday
KENT, CONNECTICUT: Henry Kissinger, a diplomatic powerhouse and a key figure in shaping US foreign policy during the 1970s, died at the age of 100 at his home in Connecticut on Wednesday, November 29.
The diplomatic giant is survived by his two children, Elizabeth Kissinger and David Kissinger, from his first marriage to Ann Fleischer as well as his wife, Nancy Kissinger, whom he married in 1974.
What do Henry Kissinger's children do?
Kissinger's children, David and Elizabeth, have forged distinct professional trajectories. David, hailing from his first marriage, graduated from Yale University in 1983.
David's journey took him to England, where he served as a speechwriter. Upon returning to the United States, he climbed the corporate ranks, attaining executive roles.
In 2005, he assumed leadership at Conaco, the production company established by comedian Conan O'Brien.
Significantly, for Kissinger's 100th birthday, David wrote a heartfelt letter to his father, celebrating the milestone.
In the letter, David recognized his father's enduring strength of character and passion for historical symbolism.
He expressed, "Even the pandemic did not slow him down: Since 2020, he has completed two books and begun work on a third."
"He returned from the Bilderberg Conference in Lisbon earlier this week just in time to embark on a series of centennial celebrations that will take him from New York to London and finally to his hometown of Fürth, Germany," he added as per, The Washington Post.
On the other hand, Elizabeth, born in Boston in 1959, has maintained a private life, steering clear of public appearances. She has pursued a career in the retail sector, holding the position of Assistant Buyer for Health and beauty Aids at Five Below.
Henry Kissinger's enduring legacy
Even in his advanced age, Kissinger remained active in both public and political spheres, offering insights into international affairs until the very end. His diplomatic career reached its pinnacle during his tenure as Secretary of State under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.
His influence extended beyond national borders, contributing to the diplomatic opening of China, US-Soviet arms control talks, and the Paris Peace Accords with North Vietnam.
Even in his later years, he continued to be a diplomatic force, attending White House meetings, testifying before Senate committees, and making a surprise visit to Beijing to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in July.
In 1973, Henry was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside North Vietnam's Le Duc Tho for their work on the Paris peace talks.
However, controversy surrounded the prize, with two committee members resigning, and Tho declining it, arguing that peace had not yet been achieved.
Early life and academic achievements of Henry Kissinger
Born as Heinz Alfred Kissinger in 1923, he fled Nazi persecution with his family in 1938, settling in the US.
Choosing to go by the name Henry, he acquired US citizenship in 1943. A veteran of World War II, he subsequently enrolled at Harvard University, obtaining both master's and doctoral degrees.
Henry's diplomatic prowess was showcased in his "shuttle" particularly in brokering a disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria.
His efforts to diminish Soviet influence led to Nixon's historic summit in Beijing with Chairman Mao Zedong, formalizing relations between the US and China.
Legacy beyond politics
While Kissinger last worked in a presidential administration in 1977, his influence endured.
In 2001, he was chosen by President George W Bush to head a commission investigating the September 11 attacks. However, he stepped down due to concerns about revealing his consulting business clients.