Frederik Willem de Klerk, widely known as FW de Klerk, is widely known for his pivotal role in ending apartheid in South Africa.
As the last President of apartheid-era South Africa from 1989 to 1994, de Klerk played a key role in the country’s transition to majority rule.
His efforts, along with Nelson Mandela, to end apartheid earned them both the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
De Klerk’s political career, influenced by his reformist policies and his leadership at a pivotal time in South African history, continues to be the subject of extensive discussion and analysis.
File
- – 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
- – Occupation: Politician, Lawyer
- – Height: None
- – 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, 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 well-known freelance journalist.
De Klerk’s childhood was steeped in Afrikaner nationalism and Calvinist religious traditions. He completed his early education at Monument High School in Krugersdorp.
He then attended the University of Potchefstroom, majoring in Christian Higher Education, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB), graduating in 1958. This education provided him with a solid foundation in law and public administration, paving the way for his future political career.
Personal life
Both stability and controversy affected 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 affair with Elita Georgiades.
This relationship, which led to his marriage to Georgiades in 1999, was widely publicized and caused a scandal in South Africa, especially among the conservative Afrikaner community. Despite the controversy, de Klerk’s second marriage lasted until his death.
Career
De Klerk’s career began in law as a barrister in Vereeniging. He entered politics in 1972 and was elected 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 career culminated when he was elected leader of the National Party and then President of the State in 1989.
De Klerk’s presidency was transformative. He initiated and oversaw the dismantling of apartheid, leading to South Africa’s first multiracial elections in 1994.
After this election, he served as Deputy President in Nelson Mandela’s government until 1996. De Klerk retired from politics in 1997 but continued to contribute to public life through his foundation.
Prize
- – Nobel Peace Prize (1993, shared with Nelson Mandela)
- – South African Medal for Distinguished Service (1981)
- – Mapungubwe Medal (2002)
- – International Award for Courage (1992)
- – UNESCO Houphouet-Boigny Prize (1992)
- – Philadelphia Peace Prize (1993)
- – Prince of Asturias Award (1992)
Net worth
Top sources estimate FW de Klerk’s net worth at around $20 million. His finances stem largely from his political and legal careers as well as his post-retirement engagements and writings.
Death
FW de Klerk died on November 11, 2021, in Cape Town, South Africa, after battling mesothelioma, a cancer that affects the lining of the lungs. His death marked the end of an important chapter in South Africa’s political history.
Argumentative
De Klerk’s career has been controversial. As a politician who initially supported and enforced apartheid, his later role in its dismantling has drawn mixed reactions.
Many in the international community praised his courage in pushing for an end to apartheid. However, some South Africans, especially conservative Afrikaners, saw him as a traitor to their cause.
The 1993 Nobel Peace Prize he won with Mandela also met with some criticism, as many believed Mandela should only receive the honor for his long struggle against apartheid.
Furthermore, 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, Mr. de.
His opposition to some aspects of the apartheid regime continued to cause public outrage. His divorce from Marike in 1996 and subsequent marriage to Elita Georgiades, a woman with whom he had an affair, also caused considerable scandal.
This period of personal turmoil was further exacerbated by the tragic murder of his ex-wife, Marike, in 2001, an event that shocked the nation and cast a shadow over his personal life.
Social media
- – Instagram: None
- – Twitter: None
Book
- – The Last Journey – A New Beginning (1999)
