Horst Koehler, a former President of Germany, passed away at the age of 81.
Serving as head of state from 2004 to 2010, Koehler died on Saturday after a brief illness, according to a statement from Germany’s Presidency.
“Koehler passed away early this morning in Berlin after a short, serious illness surrounded by his family,” the statement said.
Prior to his presidency, he held prominent international roles, including as Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund.
Born on February 22, 1943, in Skierbieszów, his family of German descent resettled in West Germany in 1953. He grew up in Ludwigsburg, Baden-Württemberg, and studied economics and political science at the University of Tübingen, earning a doctorate in economics in 1977.
Kohler resigned as President in 2010 following controversy over his remarks on the country’s military engagements.