Born: 8 April 1938 · Died: 18 August 2018 · Age at death: 80
How old was Kofi Annan when he died?
Kofi Annan died aged 80. He was born on 8 April 1938 and died on 18 August 2018.
Ghanaian diplomat who served as Secretary-General of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006 and shared the Nobel Peace Prize
Did you know?He was a joint recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in creating a more organised and peaceful world.
Quick facts
Date of birth8 April 1938
Date of death18 August 2018
Age at death80
NationalityGhanaian
BirthplaceKumasi, Ghana
Occupationdiplomat, economist, politician
Editor's Take:
Kofi Annan was the first Secretary-General of the United Nations from sub-Saharan Africa, and he brought a calm, persuasive style to one of the hardest jobs in diplomacy. He rose through the organisation's ranks over several decades before becoming Secretary-General in 1997. He championed the Millennium Development Goals, a global plan to reduce poverty, disease and hunger. His time in office also saw painful failures, including peacekeeping disasters in Rwanda and Bosnia, which he later spoke about openly. After leaving the UN, he continued mediating conflicts, including in Kenya and Syria.
Key Milestones
1962: Joins the World Health Organization
1997: Becomes UN Secretary-General
2001: Shares the Nobel Peace Prize with the UN
2012: Serves as peace envoy for Syria
Kofi Atta Annan (8 April 1938 – 18 August 2018) was a Ghanaian diplomat and statesman who served as the seventh secretary-general of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006. Annan and the UN were the co-recipients of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize.