12/27/2023 9:15 am (act. 12/27/2023 9:15 am)
Wolfgang Schäuble died on Wednesday night. ©dpa
Wolfgang Schäuble, a landmark figure in German politics and a CDU legend, has died aged 81.
Wolfgang Schäuble, who was a member of the German Bundestag for more than 50 years, died on Wednesday night, Bild reports. Known for his profound influence on German politics, Schäuble died peacefully surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife Ingeborg, four children and four grandchildren.
A life in service to the nation
Schäuble has represented the Offenburg constituency in the Bundestag since 1972. His greatest political success was the negotiation of the unification treaty with the GDR in 1990 as Minister of the Interior in the government of Chancellor Helmut Kohl. This achievement is considered a significant contribution to German reunification.
On October 12, 1990, Schäuble suffered a severe blow of fate when he was shot during an election campaign appearance, which resulted in permanent paralysis. Despite this challenge, he continued his political career and achieved the position of President of the Bundestag, which he held from 2017 to 2021.
Withdrawal from the public
In recent years, Schäuble has withdrawn from the public eye, especially after his wife suffered a serious fall in the summer. He planned to spend more of his remaining time with his family.