Biography
Frank-Walter Steinmeier, a German Social Democratic politician, has been President of Germany since 2017. He was born on January 5, 1956, in Detmold, and studied law at the University of Giessen, earning a doctorate. Steinmeier started as a civil servant before moving into politics as a key aide to Gerhard Schröder in the 1990s, serving as Schröder's chief of staff in 1996 and continuing when Schröder became Chancellor in 1998.
As Schröder took office as Chancellor, Steinmeier was named Under-Secretary of State in the Chancellery, overseeing intelligence services. Between 1999 and 2005, he was the Chief of Staff of the Chancellery, becoming a significant figure in the SPD. After the 2005 federal election, Steinmeier switched to foreign policy, becoming the Minister for Foreign Affairs in Angela Merkel's first grand coalition government. He also served as Vice-Chancellor from 2007 to 2009, highlighting his significant role in the coalition.
Steinmeier's political career faced challenges in 2009 when he ran as the SPD's candidate for Chancellor in the federal election. Despite his experience and moderate reform approach, the SPD lost, prompting him to leave the federal cabinet and become the opposition leader. Things turned around after the 2013 federal election when he returned as Minister for Foreign Affairs in Merkel's second grand coalition. He also served as Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2016.
In November 2016, the ruling CDU/CSU-SPD coalition picked Steinmeier as their candidate for President of Germany, using their majority in the Federal Convention. He left the cabinet on January 27, 2017, and was elected president on February 12, 2017, with 74% of the vote. German voters confirmed his presidency when he was re-elected on February 13, 2022, for a second and final term with 78% of the vote. Throughout his career, Steinmeier has been recognized internationally for his diplomatic work, receiving numerous honors from Europe and beyond.
Before Fame
Steinmeier's rise in politics started with his academic success and work in civil service, instead of the usual route through party politics. After getting his law degree and a doctorate at the University of Giessen, he became a civil servant, gaining valuable experience in German governance. He entered high-level politics by working with Gerhard Schröder in Lower Saxony in the 1990s, where he proved his administrative skill and political savvy.
After Germany's reunification, there was a need for skilled administrators who could manage the complexities of a changed nation. Steinmeier's legal and civil service background made him well-suited to tackle the policy challenges Germany faced as it integrated the former East Germany and took on greater international roles. His career grew alongside the SPD's return to federal power under Schröder, enabling his move from regional politics to top national government positions.
Key Achievements
- Served as President of Germany since 2017, re-elected with 78% of the vote in 2022
- Held the position of Foreign Minister twice, from 2005-2009 and 2013-2017
- Served as Vice-Chancellor of Germany from 2007 to 2009
- Chairman-in-Office of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe in 2016
- Chief of Staff to Chancellor Gerhard Schröder from 1999 to 2005
Did You Know?
- 01.His wife Elke Büdenbender donated a kidney to him in 2010, allowing both to continue their professional careers
- 02.He served as acting chairman of the SPD in 2008 during a transitional period for the party
- 03.Steinmeier was responsible for overseeing Germany's intelligence services during his early years in the Chancellery
- 04.He received an honorary doctorate from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2015, reflecting his diplomatic contributions to German-Israeli relations
- 05.As OSCE Chairman-in-Office in 2016, he helped coordinate international responses to security challenges across Europe
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | 2006 | — |
| Grand Cross of Royal Norwegian Order of Merit | 2007 | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of Portugal | 2009 | — |
| Grand Cross of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria | 2016 | — |
| Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour | 2017 | — |
| honorary doctor of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem | 2015 | — |
| Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany | 2017 | — |
| Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry | 2018 | — |
| Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland | 2018 | — |
| Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the Three Stars | 2019 | — |
| honorary doctor of the University of Athens | — | — |
| honorary doctor of the University of Paderborn | 2016 | — |
| The honorary doctor of Lebanese University | 2018 | — |
| Order of the Falcon | — | — |
| Knight Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | — | — |
| Order of Merit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs | 2017 | — |
| Grand Cross of the Order of the White Double Cross | 2017 | — |
| Knight of the Order of the Elephant | 2021 | — |
| Ignatz Bubis Award | 2016 | — |
| Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany | — | — |
| Order of Stara Planina | — | — |
| Royal Norwegian Order of Merit | — | — |
| Order of Merit of Portugal | — | — |
| Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour | — | — |
| Order of the White Double Cross | — | — |
| Order of the White Rose of Finland | — | — |
| Order of Prince Henry | — | — |
| National Order of Merit | — | — |
| Order of the Three Stars | — | — |
| Order of Merit of the Italian Republic | — | — |
| Order pro Merito Melitensi | — | — |
| Order of the Netherlands Lion | — | — |
| Royal Order of the Seraphim | — | — |
| Decoration for Exceptional Merits | 2022 | — |
| Order of the Elephant | — | — |
| Order of Isabella the Catholic | — | — |
| Order of the Bath | — | — |
| Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau | — | — |
| Order of Makarios III | — | — |
| Order of the Star of Romania | — | — |
| Collar of the Order of Isabella the Catholic | 2022 | — |