Kurt waldheim biography

Kurt Josef Waldheim December 21, — June 14, was an Austrian diplomat and conservative politician. He was the fourth secretary-general of the United Nations , serving from to As secretary-general, Waldheim oversaw the largest relief operations the United Nations had ever undertaken, providing relief in Bangladesh and in drought -affected areas of Africa.

He held a number of staff positions and served as Austria's ambassador to Canada before becoming a permanent observer to the United Nations and then head of the Austrian delegation to the United Nations when Austria was admitted.

Why did kurt waldheim resign

Waldheim was president of Austria from to At the time of his death, he was the oldest former Austrian president and also the oldest former secretary-general of the United Nations. Following his election as president of Austria , allegations surfaced regarding his proximity to war crimes during World War II , which cast a shadow on his legacy as a world leader.

His father was a Roman Catholic school inspector and an active Christian socialist. Kurt attended the Vienna Consular Academy, graduating in During this time he was considered politically non-partisan. Later he attended the University of Vienna, where he graduated with a degree in jurisprudence. Later, he became a registered member of the mounted corps of the Sturmabteilung SA stormtroopers.