Trivia

Was an avid smoker and even refused to appear on TV shows if he was not allowed to do so in the studio.

Despite having been an avid smoker, Schmidt holds the record for the longest living German Chancellor. By age, he even outlived former Chancellor Konrad Adenauer, who was a life long non-smoker, by five years.

He hardly drank any alcohol but a lot of Coca Cola, allegedly with added sugar cubes.

Has never had a speech coach.

Met Loki Schmidt when he was 10. They were classmates at the coeducational Lichtwarkschule.

He singled out pea soup, cooked with bacon, as a dish he particularly enjoyed.

Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany from 16 May 1974 to 1 October 1982.

Honorary citizen of Hamburg, Bonn, Bremerhaven (1983), Berlin (1989), Güstrow (1995) and Schleswig-Holstein (1998).

Gained reputation for his effective management during a flood catastrophe in Hamburg (1962).

Served as antiaircraft-artillery officer with the Nazi German Luftwaffe in World War II.

Father of two children: Helmut Walter (born on 26 June 1944, died of meningitis in February 1945) and Susanne (born in 1947).

West German Federal Minister of Defence (1969-1972).

Was voted "coolest German celebrity" by the viewers of pay-TV network Premiere at the age of 89 (January 2008).

Innensenator (Minister of the Interior) of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg from December 13, 1961 to December 14, 1965.

Even after his office period as a chancellor, he remained one of the most popular and influential German political figures.

He was after the death of his wife Loki Schmidt, engaged to Ruth Loah.

Was good friends to Henry Kissinger.

Renown and influential expert in Nuclear Strategy.

West German Federal Minister of Finance (1972-1974).

On January 2018, to celebrate his 100th birthday and his life's work, commemorative 2-Euro coins bearing his likeness were issued in Germany.

Born and raised in the working-class district of Hamburg-Barmbek, he later lived in Hamburg-Langenhorn for decades.

His wife Loki Schmidt stated that if she would not cook for him, he would eat currant bread instead.

He was the captain of the Lichtwarkschule's student rowing team.

Played the organ and the piano.

Had a rose named after him, the 'Helmut Schmidt'. It was designed by German flower grower Reimer Kordes and was on display at the Bundesgartenschau in 1979.