Horst Koehler, the former president of Germany from 2004 to 2010, has passed away.
Following a brief illness, Koehler passed away on Saturday at the age of 81, officials in the presidency announced.
“Koehler passed away early this morning in Berlin after a short, serious illness surrounded by his family,” In a statement, the German presidency noted.
Koehler served a number of high-profile international roles prior to his time as president of Germany, including managing the International Monetary Fund from 2000 to 2004.
Following criticism for his comments regarding Germany’s military actions, Köhler resigned as president of Germany in 2010.
On February 22, 1943, Horst Köhler was born in Skierbieszów, which was then a part of Nazi-occupied Poland.
After relocating to Leipzig, East Germany, his German-descended family fled to West Germany in 1953.