Helmut Kohl – father of reunification

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 

Entry into politics: Wins legislative seat in West Germanstate of Rhineland-Palatinate (1959). Elected as state’s minister-president(1969) and CDU chair (1973)
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
1960: Marries Hannelore Renner (right). Couple have two sons, Walter (born 1963)and Peter (1965)
1989: Collapse of Berlin Wall and Soviet control over eastern Europe. Kohl takes lead role in advocating East and West German reunification
1990: Signing of reunification treaty. Kohl elected chancellor of unified Germany
1993: Joins other European leaders to promote Maastricht Treaty and monetary union
1976: Runs for chancellor in federal elections but loses vote to Helmut Schmidt
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
Jun 16, 2017: Helmut Kohl dies aged 87

Source: Wire agencies
Pictures: Associated Press