German politician (FDP), born 21 March 1927 in Reideburg, (now part of Halle (Saale)), Germany died 31 March 2016 in Wachtberg-Pech, Germany.
Foreign Minister and Vice Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 1974 to 1992, making him the countrys longest serving minister.
Best remembered for his speech from the balcony of the West German embassy in Prague, where he announced that thousands of East Germans refugees were allowed to go to West Germany.
During World War 2, Genscher belonged to the Hitlerjugend, afterwards joined the Nazi Wehrmacht. When the war ended, he surrendered to Allied troops near the Elbe River defenses.
Chairman of the West German Free Democratic Party (FDP) (1974-1985).
Politician (Federal Republic of Germany).
Federal German Minister of the Interior (1969-1974).
Honorary citizen of Halle (Saale) and Berlin.
