Thomas Klestil

Thomas Klestil (4 November 1932 – 6 July 2004) was an Austrian diplomat and politician. He was elected Federal President of Austria (Bundespräsident) in 1992 (on 56.9 % of the popular vote) and was re-elected to the position in 1998. His second—and final—term of office was due to end on 8 July 2004, but his death two days prior to his retirement from office cut his term short.

Biography until 1992

Born in Vienna to a working class family—his father worked for the tramway—Klestil went to school in Landstraße where he made friends with Joe Zawinul. He studied at the Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration and received his doctorate in 1957. After entering the civil service he worked in Austria as well as abroad, for example for OECD. Fluent in English, Klestil was the Austrian Ambassador to the United Nations (1978–1982) and Ambassador to the United States (1982–1987) prior to his election as president.

Related Topics:
Vienna - Working class - Landstraße - Joe Zawinul - Vienna University of Economics and Business Administration - 1957 - Civil service - OECD - English - Ambassador - United Nations - 1978 - 1982 - United States - 1987

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