Frederik Willem de Klerk : Ask Biography

Personal data

Date of birth

18 March 1936(age 80)

Place of birth

Johannesburg, Transvaal Province, Union of South Africa

Nationality

South African

Political party

National Party

Other party

New National Party

Spouse

Marike Willemse (1959 � 1998)
Elita Georgiades (1998 � present)

Children

Jan de Klerk
Willem de Klerk
Susan de Klerk

Residence

Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa

Alma mater

Potchefstroom University

Occupation

Politician

Profession

Attorney

Religion

Dutch Reformed Church

7th State President of South Africa

In office

20 September 1989 - 9 May 1994

Succeeded by

Nelson Mandela
As President of South Africa

Preceded by

Pieter Willem Botha

1st Deputy President of South Africa

In office

10 May 1994 - 30 June 1996

Serving with Thabo Mbeki

President

Nelson Mandela

Succeeded by

Thabo Mbeki (solely)

Preceded by

Office Established

Home | Office Holder | Frederik Willem de Klerk

Frederik Willem de Klerk (born 18 March 1936), often known as F. W. de Klerk, is the former seventh and last State President of apartheid-era South Africa, serving from September 1989 to May 1994. De Klerk was also leader of the National Party (which later became the New National Party) from February 1989 to September 1997.

De Klerk is best known for engineering the end of apartheid, South Africa's racial segregation policy, and supporting the transformation of South Africa into a multi-racial democracy by entering into the negotiations that resulted in all citizens, including the country's black majority, having equal voting and other rights. He won Félix Houphouët-Boigny Peace Prize in 1991, Prince of Asturias Awards in 1992 and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 along with Nelson Mandela for his role in the ending of apartheid.

He was one of the Deputy Presidents of South Africa during the presidency of Nelson Mandela until 1996, the last white person to hold the position to date. In 1997, he retired from politics.