Helmut Kohl – father of reunification
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Apr 3, 1930: Helmut Kohl born into conservative, Roman Catholic family in Ludwigshafen, Germany –third child of civil servant Hans Kohland wife Cäcilie

Early life: Drafted into army in World War II but misses combat.Joins Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party in 1947. Earns doctorate in politics in 1958

1960: Marries Hannelore Renner (right). Couple have two sons, Walter (born 1963) and Peter (1965)

Entry into politics: Wins legislative seat in West Germanstate of Rhineland-Palatinate (1959).Elected as state’s minister-president(1969) and CDU chair (1973)

1976: Runs for chancellor in federal elections but loses vote to Helmut Schmidt.
 
1982: Becomes chancellor after Schmidt loses vote of no-confidence. Kohl easily re-elected in 1987

1988: Receives Charlemagne Award with then French President François Mitterrand for efforts towards European unification

1989: Collapse of Berlin Wall and Soviet control over eastern Europe. Kohl takes lead role in advocating East and West German reunification

1990: Signing ofreunification treaty. Kohl elected chancellor of unified Germany

1993: Joins other European leaders to promote Maastricht Treaty and monetary union

1998: German voters reject Kohl after 16 years as chancellor

1999: Awarded U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom by Bill Clinton

2001: Pays substantial fine to avoid fraud charges over misuse of CDU party funds. Hannelore commits suicide after long illness

2002: Retires from politics

2008: Suffers stroke and fall. Marries his 43-year-old partner,Maike Richter, while still in hospital

June 2015: Reportedly in intensive care in hospital after two operations
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Source: Wire agencies

Pictures: Associated Press

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