Frederik Willem de Klerk Biography: Age, Net Worth, Instagram, Spouse, Height, Wiki, Parents, Siblings, Children, Awards, Books

Frederik Willem de Klerk, known as F.W. de Klerk, became widely recognized for his significant role in ending apartheid in South Africa.

As the last State President of apartheid-era South Africa from 1989 to 1994, de Klerk played a crucial part in transitioning the country toward majority rule.

His efforts, alongside Nelson Mandela, to dismantle the apartheid system earned them both the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.

De Klerk‘s political career, influenced by his transformative policies and leadership during a pivotal time in South Africa’s history, continues to be a subject of extensive discussion and analysis.

Profile

• – Full name: Frederik Willem de Klerk
• – Date of birth: March 18, 1936
• – Age: 88 years old
• – Gender: Male
• – Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
• – Nationality: South African
• – Profession: Politician, Attorney
• – Height: N/A
• – Parents: Jan de Klerk (father), Hendrina Cornelia Coetzer (mother)
• – Siblings: Willem de Klerk (brother)
• – Spouse: Marike Willemse (m. 1959, div. 1996), Elita Georgiades (m. 1999)
• – Children: Susan de Klerk, Jan de Klerk, Willem de Klerk
• – Relationship status: Married to Elita Georgiades
• – Religion: Reformed Protestant
• – Ethnicity: Afrikaner
• – Net worth: $20 million

Early Life and Education

Frederik Willem de Klerk was born on March 18, 1936, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Now 88 years old, he grew up in a politically influential Afrikaner family.

His father, Jan de Klerk, was a prominent politician who served as a Cabinet Minister and President of the Senate, while his brother, Willem de Klerk, was a noted liberal newspaperman.

De Klerk‘s upbringing was steeped in Afrikaner nationalism and the Calvinist religious tradition. He completed his early education at Monument High School in Krugersdorp.

Subsequently, he attended Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, earning a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree, graduating in 1958. His education equipped him with a solid grounding in law and public administration, setting the stage for his future political career.

Personal Life

Both stability and controversy influenced De Klerk’s personal life. He married Marike Willemse in 1959, and they had three children: Susan, Jan, and Willem. Their marriage lasted until 1996, when it ended in divorce amid public revelations of de Klerk‘s extramarital affair with Elita Georgiades.

The affair, which led to his marriage to Georgiades in 1999, was widely publicized and caused a scandal in South Africa, particularly among conservative Afrikaners. Despite the controversies, de Klerk’s second marriage endured until his death.

Career

De Klerk’s career began in law as an attorney in Vereeniging. He entered politics in 1972, and he was elected a Member of Parliament for Vereeniging.

He quickly rose through the ranks, holding various ministerial positions, including Minister of Mines, Energy, Environmental Planning, and Minister of National Education.

His political ascent culminated in his election as the leader of the National Party and subsequently as State President in 1989.

De Klerk’s presidency was transformative. He initiated and oversaw the dismantling of apartheid, which led to South Africa’s first multiracial elections in 1994.

After these elections, he served as Deputy President of Nelson Mandela’s government until 1996. De Klerk retired from active politics in 1997 but continued contributing to public life through his foundation.

Awards

• – Nobel Peace Prize (1993, co-recipient with Nelson Mandela)
• – South African Decoration for Meritorious Service (1981)
• – Order of Mapungubwe (2002)
• – Prix du Courage Internationale (1992)
• – UNESCO Houphouet-Boigny Prize (1992)
• – Philadelphia Peace Prize (1993)
• – Prince of Asturias Prize (1992)

Net Worth

Top sources estimate F.W. de Klerk’s net worth at around $20 million. His financial status primarily derived from his career in politics and law and his engagements and writings post-retirement.

Death

F.W. de Klerk passed away on November 11, 2021, in Cape Town, South Africa, after battling mesothelioma, a type of cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. His death marked the end of a significant chapter in South Africa’s political history.

Controversy

De Klerk‘s career was subject to controversy. As a politician who initially supported and enforced apartheid, his later role in dismantling it brought mixed reactions.

Many in the international community praised his courage in facilitating the end of apartheid. Still, some South Africans, particularly those from conservative Afrikaner circles, viewed him as a traitor to their cause.

His 1993 Nobel Peace Prize win with Mandela was also met with some criticism, as many believed Mandela should have received the honour alone due to his long struggle against apartheid.

Moreover, de Klerk faced criticism during the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) hearings in the mid-1990s. His apologies for the wrongs of apartheid were often seen as insufficient, and in a 2012 interview, he de.

Fended certain aspects of apartheid, further igniting public outrage. His divorce from Marike in 1996 and subsequent marriage to Elita Georgiades, a woman he had an affair with, also generated significant scandal.

This period of personal turmoil was compounded by the tragic murder of his ex-wife, Marike, in 2001, an event that shocked the nation and cast a further shadow over his personal life.

Social Media

• – Instagram: N/A
• – Twitter: N/A

Books

• – The Last Trek—A New Beginning (1999)