Former Greek president Stephanopoulos dies

Published on 21/11/2016 - 07:56

Constantine Stephanopoulos dies at the age of 90 after contracting a lung infection. He was taken into hospital on Sunday and his condition is said to have deteriorated rapidly.

Constantine Stephanopoulous has died in hospital in Athens at the age of 90.

The former Greek president was taken into hospital with pneumonia on Thursday. Doctors say his condition deteriorated rapidly.

In a statement released on Saturday, Mr Stephanopoulos’ doctors said he was suffering from multiple organ failure and was not responding to treatment.

A statement released from the Henry Dunant hospital on Sunday said the former head of state died at 11.18pm local time from “complications of pneumonia.”

Former #Greece President Costìs Stephanopoulos has passed away.
RIP. A true statesman. pic.twitter.com/y9zpmpwh7U
— Yannis Koutsomitis (@YanniKouts) November 20, 2016

A popular president

Known widely as Costis, the veteran conservative politician was president from 1995 to 2005.

He served the two full terms allowed by the constitution.

The office of Greek president is largely ceremonial but Mr Stephanopoulous won wide popularity with his modesty and lack of bombast.

Although a conservative, he got along well with politicians from across the spectrum, particularly the moderate socialist Costas Simitis, who was prime minister from 1996 to 2004.

Former Greek President Constantine Stephanopoulos Dead at 90 https://t.co/Kq6l8zoHUG pic.twitter.com/EcZ1LVRx2N
— Voice of America (@VOANews) November 21, 2016

Who was Costis Stephanopoulos?

Son of a lawyer and politician
Born in the western city of Patras on August 15, 1926
Began career as a lawyer
First elected 1961
Deputy trade minister in civilian government after the fall of the military junta in 1974
Held various posts in New Democracy governments
Formed Renewal Party in 1985
Elected to parliament in 1985 and 1989
Party disbanded in 1994