Member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany who held office as the President of West Germany from 1969 to 1974. His advocacy of the democratic rights of every-day citizens made him popular among the younger generation.
He earned a Ph.D. and doctorate after briefly serving as a soldier in World War I.
He also held office as the Minister of the Interior and Minister of Justice.
He and his wife Hilda Heinemann had four children.
He politically collaborated with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt , while in office as President.
