Konrad Adenauer Politician

• Gender: Male
• Citizenship: Germany
• Born: Jan 5, 1876
• Died: Apr 19, 1967

Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer was a German statesman. As the first post-war Chancellor of Germany from 1949 to 1963, he led his country from the ruins of World War II to a productive and prosperous nation that forged close relations with old enemy France, the United Kingdom and the United States. During his years in power Germany achieved democracy, stability, international respect and economic prosperity. He was the first leader of the Christian Democratic Union, a Christian Democratic party that under his leadership became, and has since usually been one of the most powerful parties in the country.

Adenauer, dubbed "Der Alte", belied his age as the oldest democratically elected head of government in world history by his intense work habits and his uncanny political instinct. He displayed a strong dedication to a broad vision of market-based liberal democracy and anti-communism. A shrewd politician, Adenauer was deeply committed to a Western-oriented foreign policy and restoring the position of West Germany on the world stage.