When Henry A. Kissinger, the powerful former secretary of state, died on Wednesday at 100, he left behind a complicated legacy: He advised 12 presidents and transformed the United States’ relationship with China, but came under fire for what his critics said was a fundamental disregard of human rights.
Born Heinz Alfred Kissinger on May 27, 1923, in Germany, he fled to the United States in 1938 to escape the Nazis.
After studying and then teaching at Harvard, he joined the Nixon White House in 1969.
He shared the 1973 Nobel Peace Prize for ending the American involvement in Vietnam, an honor that outraged his critics.
After leaving the State Department, Mr. Kissinger remained in the spotlight as a consultant and a writer.
Persons:
Henry A . Kissinger, Kissinger, Heinz Alfred Kissinger
Organizations:
Harvard, Nixon White House, State Department, Mr
Locations:
United States, China, Germany, Vietnam