"Passing of Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger at 100 Years Old"

Henry Kissinger, the former US Secretary of State whose influential and contentious role shaped American foreign policy during the Cold War era, has passed away at the age of 100.

He held prominent positions as America's chief diplomat and national security adviser during the Nixon and Ford administrations. Despite departing from office in the mid-1970s, his counsel continued to be sought by leaders across generations for decades.

The German-born diplomat breathed his last at his residence in Connecticut. A statement released by Kissinger Associates on Wednesday night, the policy consultancy he established, did not specify the cause of his demise.

Former US President George W. Bush led the tributes, expressing that the US had lost a distinguished and authoritative voice in matters of international affairs.

Tricia Nixon Cox and Julie Nixon Eisenhower, daughters of President Richard Nixon, remarked on the uniqueness and distinctly American narrative that encapsulated Kissinger's life story. They emphasized his enduring legacy in advancing peace, attributing his character as an indelible aspect of his persona.

Born in Germany in 1923, the son of a school teacher, Kissinger arrived in the US in 1938, escaping the Nazi regime. His Bavarian roots remained evident in his accent despite his assimilation into American life. Naturalized as a US citizen in 1943, he served in the US Army and later in the Counter Intelligence Corps following his academic pursuits, earning bachelor's and master's degrees, culminating in a PhD. He subsequently taught international relations at Harvard.

In 1969, President Nixon appointed him as the national security adviser, a role that wielded significant influence over US foreign policy. His tenure, spanning eight years as both national security adviser and secretary of state between 1969-77, witnessed pivotal moments such as the conclusion of US involvement in the Vietnam War, the normalization of relations with China, and the mediation for a ceasefire in the 1973 Yom Kippur War in the Middle East.

Kissinger's passing also resonated profoundly in China, where he retained enduring popularity. Chinese media platforms paid homage to him as "an old friend of the Chinese people," acknowledging his vital role in US-China relations.

Despite accolades, Kissinger faced vehement criticism for prioritizing rivalry with the Soviet Union over human rights and supporting authoritarian regimes worldwide, including Augusto Pinochet in Chile. However, he remained dismissive of such reproach, attributing it to ignorance.

His receipt of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973, shared with North Vietnam's Le Duc Tho, led to resignations within the Nobel committee, reflecting the contentious nature of his legacy.