Switzerland – Kofi Annan, one of the world’s most celebrated diplomats and charismatic symbols of the United Nations is dead at the age of 80.
Annon rose through the U.N.’s ranks to become the first black African secretary-general. His foundation announced his death in a tweet early Saturday morning, saying he died after a short unspecified illness.
Annan spent virtually his entire career as an administrator in the United Nations. He served two terms as Secretary-General from January 1st, 1997 to December 31st, 2006, capped nearly mid-way when he and the U.N. were jointly awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001.
During his tenure, Annan presided over some of the worst failures and scandals at the world body, one of its most turbulent periods since its founding in 1945.
