The former secretary of state Henry Kissinger has recently passed away at the age of 100. Vilified by many but also awarded the Nobel Peace Prize which was jointly offered to him and Lê Đức Thọ for the Paris Peace Accords. However, Lê Đức Thọ declined the award, while Kissinger donated the prize money to charity, and later returned the medal.
Despite the Nobel Peace Prize, many people criticized him and Nixon for protracting the Vietnam War, causing the unnecessary deaths of thousands of Americans. He was also criticized for the bombing of Cambodia which some have attributed as an impetus for the Khmer Rouge's rise to power. He also had a hand in US relations with China, the Soviet Union, Israel, and its neighboring Arab nations.
He has been known as a notorious "ladies' man" being seen with different actresses during his younger days. However, these rumors were later dispelled by people who knew him and were close to him. Later in his life, he managed a global consulting business.
Many still want him to be called to account for actions and decisions during his time as Secretary of State, and he had to be careful about traveling to certain countries so as not to be summoned by judges and asked questions about those policies.
(Image credit: Marsha Miller/Wikimedia Commons)