Henry Kissinger Fast Facts

Mother: Paula (Stern) Kissinger

Marriages: Nancy (Maginnes) Kissinger (March 30, 1974-present); Ann Fleischer (1949-1964, divorced)

Children: with Ann Fleischer: Elizabeth, David

Education: Harvard University, B.A., 1950; M.A., 1952; Ph.D., 1954

Military: US Army, 1943-1949, Captain

Other Facts:
Kissinger’s name was changed to Henry when his family immigrated to the United States to escape the Nazis.

Attended high school at night while working at a factory during the day.

First person to serve as both national security adviser and secretary of state.

Timeline:
1938– The Kissinger family immigrates to the United States, settling in New York.

June 19, 1943– Becomes a US citizen.

1954-1971 – Harvard University faculty member.

1957-1960– Associate Director of Harvard’s Center for International Affairs.

1956-1960– Consultant, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

1961-1962– Consultant, National Security Council.

1961-1968– Consultant, US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.

1965-1968– Consultant, US Department of State.

1969-1974– Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs for President Nixon.

1969 – Helps initiate the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the Soviet Union.

1972– Kissinger and President Nixon are named Time Magazine’s Men of the Year.

September 23, 1973-January 20, 1977 –Secretary of State under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

1973 –Wins the Nobel Peace Prize, with Le Duc Tho, for negotiating the end of the Vietnam War. Le Duc Tho declines the award.

1974-1975– Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs for President Ford.

1979 – The first volume of his memoir, “White House Years,” is published.

1982– Opens international consulting firm Kissinger Associates, Inc.

1982– Has triple coronary bypass surgery.

1982 – The second volume of his memoir, “Years of Upheaval,” is published.

1999 – The third volume of his memoir, “Years of Renewal,” is published.

November 2002 – Is appointed by President George W. Bush to lead the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission).

December 13, 2002 – Resigns as chairman of the 9-11 Commission, citing controversy over possible conflicts of interest with clients of his consulting firm.

March 2005 – Undergoes an angioplasty procedure.

May 18, 2006 – Is awarded the Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service.

July 15, 2014 – Undergoes heart surgery to replace an aortic valve.