Henry Kissinger Fast Facts

Here's a look at the life of former National Security Adviser and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.

Personal: Birth date: May 27, 1923

Birth place: Furth, Germany

Birth name: Heinz Alfred Kissinger

Father: Louis Kissinger, a teacher

Mother: Paula (Stern) Kissinger

Marriages: Nancy (Maginnes) Kissinger (March 30, 1974 - present); Ann Fleischer (1949 - 1964, divorced)

Children: with Ann: Elizabeth and David

Education: Harvard University, B.A., 1950; M.A., 1952, Ph.D, 1954

Military: U.S. Army, 1943-1949, Captain

Religion: Jewish

Other Facts: Kissinger's name was changed to Henry when his family immigrated to the United States to escape the Nazis.

Attended high school at night while working at a factory during the day.

First person to serve as both National Security Adviser and Secretary of State.

Timeline: 1938 - The Kissinger family immigrates to the United States, settling in New York.

June 19, 1943 - Becomes a U.S. citizen.

1954-1971 - Harvard University faculty member.

1957-1960 - Associate Director of Harvard's Center for International Affairs.

1956-1960 - Consultant, Weapons Systems Evaluation Group of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

1961-1962 - Consultant, National Security Council.

1961-1968 - Consultant, U.S. Arms Control and Disarmament Agency.

1965-1968 - Consultant, U.S. Department of State.

1969-1974 - Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs for President Nixon.

1969 - Helps initiate the Strategic Arms Limitation Talks (SALT) with the Soviet Union.

1972 - Kissinger and President Nixon are named Time Magazine's Men of the Year.

September 23, 1973-January 20, 1977 - Secretary of State under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford.

1973 - Wins the Nobel Peace Prize, with Le Duc Tho, for negotiating the end of the Vietnam War. Le Duc Tho declines the award.

1974-1975 - Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs for President Ford.

1982 - Opens international consulting firm Kissinger Associates, Inc.

1982 - Has triple coronary bypass surgery.

November 2002 - Is appointed by President George W. Bush to lead the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9-11 Commission).

December 13, 2002 - Resigns as chairman of the 9-11 Commission, citing controversy over possible conflicts of interest with clients of his consulting firm.

March 2005 - Undergoes an angioplasty procedure.

May 18, 2006 - Is awarded the Dwight D. Eisenhower Medal for Leadership and Service. The Eisenhower Medal is awarded to recognize advances toward President Eisenhower's vision for peace and productivity through international dialogue.