Toomas Hendrik Ilves

Estonian politician and diplomat, fourth president of Estonia (born 1953)

Toomas Hendrik Ilves held public office at a time when the terms of that office were themselves being contested.

The record lists Toomas Hendrik Ilves as Estonian politician and diplomat, fourth president of Estonia (born 1953).

Toomas Hendrik Ilves was born at Stockholm in 1953. His recorded nationality is Estonia. He was educated at Columbia College and Columbia University.

Twentieth-century politics was conducted under the shadow of two world wars, decolonisation and the Cold War, and broadcast to electorates that could watch it happen.

The offices held were President of Estonia (2006–2016), Member of the European Parliament (2004–2006) and Minister of Foreign Affairs (1996–1998).

His political affiliation is recorded as Social Democratic Party and People's Party.

Power is judged twice: once by contemporaries who felt it, and again by historians who did not.

Formal honours included the Grand Cross with Collar of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (2007), Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon, Order of the Three Stars, 1st Class and Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

That the career was made in Estonia is not incidental: the institutions available, the franchise, and the constraints of the moment all shaped what could be attempted.

Toomas Hendrik Ilves's career is not finished, and the historical verdict on it has not been reached.

Achievements

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