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Social Democratic convictions were already rooted in his family. From the fatherless child to the Federal Chancellor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate - this is the life of a man who received so much recognition worldwide than almost any other German in the 20th century. In the years of his exile Willy Brandt fought the Hitler regime with words and deeds, later he freed the Federal Republic of the cobwebs of the postwar period.
Where a Willy is is also a way. How did he manage this amazing ascent, what were the main stations, and who were the women at his side? With his charisma, his eloquence and his pragmatic struggle for an open, peaceful society, Brandt won the oldest German party for himself - the SPD, at that time still genuine People's Party, elected him as its chairman.
Until 1969, only Christian Democrats ruled the Federal Republic. Brandt became the first SPD chancellor and led a social-liberal coalition. In December 1970, he knelt in front of the memorial for the victims of the Warsaw ghetto uprising - this gesture moved the world.
As a politician, Willy Brandt also had a numerous female following and a reputation as a womanizer. He attracted millions of young Germans who admired him like a pop star. An important factor was that he had the charm of vague visions for a more just world.
Also in the GDR population Brandt had many sympathizers. The GDR foreign intelligence placed an agent in his immediate vicinity - the unmasking of Guenter Guillaume led to Brandt's resignation in May 1974.
But even then Brandt continued to enjoy a high international reputation. So he became one of the most famous Germans of the 20th century.
How well do you know Willy Brandt? Test it with these dozen questions!