Henry Kissinger Dies At 100, Know About His Wife Nancy & Children

Henry Kissinger, the influential US secretary of state who held sway over foreign policy during the tenures of former presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, has passed away at the age of 100, as announced by his consulting firm, Kissinger Associates. The firm confirmed that Kissinger passed away at his residence in Connecticut. He is survived by his wife, Nancy, two children, David and Elizabeth, and five grandchildren.

Born in southern Germany in 1923, Henry Kissinger fled Nazi Germany and immigrated to the United States in 1938. He served as the national security adviser in 1969 and later held the position of secretary of state under Presidents Nixon and Ford.

Following his government tenure in 1977, Kissinger continued as a consultant to American presidents from both political parties and foreign leaders. He has authored 21 books on national security. 

Henry Kissinger's Wife And Children

Henry Kissinger married Ann Fleischer, his high school sweetheart, on February 6, 1949, while he was studying at Harvard College. The couple, who had known each other since high school, had two children named Elizabeth and David. Their marriage lasted until 1964, but the reason for their separation is undisclosed. After their split, Fleischer married Dr. Saul G. Cohen, who passed away in 2010 due to heart failure at 93.

Meanwhile, Henry Kissinger wed Nancy Maginnes on March 30, 1974, in Arlington, Virginia. They crossed paths during her time as a student at Harvard, where he served as a professor. Maginnes, whose father was Albert Bristol Maginnes, a football player, had previously been an aide to New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller.

David Kissinger, Henry's son from his first marriage, completed his studies at Yale University in 1983. He pursued a career as a speechwriter in England before returning to the US. He eventually took on executive roles and later became the head of Conaco, Conan O'Brien's production company, in 2005. Elizabeth, born in Boston in 1959, has maintained a private life, steering clear of public engagements.

More About Henry Kissinger

While many admired Kissinger for his extensive knowledge and expertise, others criticised him as a war criminal due to his backing of anti-communist dictatorships, particularly in Latin America. In his later years, his global travels were limited by attempts from other countries to arrest or question him regarding past U.S. foreign policy decisions.

The Nobel Peace Prize he received in 1973, shared with Le Duc Tho from North Vietnam (who declined it), sparked controversy. The selection led to resignations from two Nobel committee members, and there were inquiries into the US secret bombing of Cambodia.

Kissinger's demeanour, marked by a serious expression and a distinct German accent, did not portray a glamorous figure, yet he was known for accompanying starlets in Washington and New York during his single days. He famously stated that power was the ultimate aphrodisiac.

Although he openly discussed policy matters, Kissinger remained private about his personal life. On one occasion, he likened himself to a cowboy hero, riding off into the sunset alone.