He was born in Hamburg and he died in Hamburg. He lived for over 96 years in Hamburg. He was Federal Chancellor of Germany and a statesman. Yet he was also a Hanseatic institution. What Helmut Schmidt said went — whether as a politician or as a commentator on current affairs, in Hamburg and in the wider world. Helmut Schmidt made a name for himself early on as a doer and a crisis manager in the Hamburg storm floods of
As Chancellor of West Germany during the Cold War, Schmidt of the centre-left Social Democratic Party SPD , left a legacy of closer cooperation on the international stage and economic prosperity and social reform at home. In his twilight years, his admission of an extramarital affair and accusations he sympathized with the Nazis during the Second World War stirred up controversy — while his dogged refusal to stop smoking in public buildings turned him into something of a cult hero. In , the West German government was in turmoil. What was more, the government — and Brandt himself - had known this for some time. Brandt had been instructed to carry on as normal, and had agreed. He even went on holiday with Guillaume in full knowledge he was a spy. The man who succeeded him would lead Germany through eight years of Cold War, and bring it closer to other nations than many believed possible - this man was Helmut Schmidt.
By Jennifer Newton for MailOnline. Dignitaries from around the world have gathered in Hamburg for the state funeral of former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt who has died aged A total of 1, guests have been invited to the funeral with authorities expecting thousands to line the streets to watch as the funeral procession takes Schmidt's body for burial at a Hamburg cemetery. Schmidt, pictured left in , and right in , died in hospital in Hamburg two weeks ago surrounded by his friends and family.
We use cookies to improve our service for you. You can find more information in our data protection declaration. Helmut Schmidt has been buried in his hometown, where pride vied with sadness as thousands lined the streets to honor the former chancellor on his final journey through the city. Ben Knight reports from Hamburg. No full-length church service, not too many speeches - those were among the stipulations that nonreligious former Chancellor Helmut Schmidt , who died on November 10 aged 96, set for his own state funeral.