Steingrímur Hermannsson
Steingrímur Hermannsson | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 22, 1928 Iceland |
| Died | February 1, 2010 (aged 81) |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, statesman |
| Years active | 1960s–1998 |
| Known for | Prime Minister of Iceland (1983–1987, 1988–1991); Chairman of the Progressive Party (1979–1994); host of the 1986 Reykjavík Summit |
Steingrímur Hermannsson (22 June 1928 – 1 February 2010) was a prominent Icelandic statesman who held the office of Prime Minister of Iceland twice, first from 1983 to 1987 and then from 1988 until 1991. He led the Progressive Party as its chairman between 1979 and 1994.
His father, Hermann Jónasson, also served as Prime Minister during two periods: from 1934 to 1942 and again from 1956 to 1958. Continuing the family’s political legacy, Steingrímur's son, Guðmundur Steingrímsson, headed his own political party in the 2013 parliamentary elections.
Early childhood
Steingrímur grew up as the son of Hermann Jónasson, a former Prime Minister. During the era of the Great Depression, he was uniquely positioned to observe Iceland’s political climate of the time, often overhearing government discussions within his father’s household amid the backdrop of World War II.
Education
Initially steering clear of politics, Steingrímur relocated to the United States in 1948. He obtained a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology in 1951, followed by a master's degree from Caltech in 1952. Upon returning to Iceland, he encountered difficulties in his private ventures and business endeavors before entering politics during the 1960s. He was elected to the Althing in 1971 representing the Progressive Party and ascended to party leadership in 1979.
Politics
Steingrímur held the Prime Minister position during two terms: from 1983 to 1987 and again from 1988 to 1991. His ministerial portfolio included several key roles such as Minister of Justice and Agriculture (1978–79), Fisheries and Communications (1980–83), and Foreign Affairs (1987–88). From 1979 until 1994, he served as chairman of the Progressive Party, later becoming governor of the Central Bank of Iceland before retiring in 1998.
International affairs
One of Steingrímur’s most significant international contributions was hosting the 1986 Reykjavík Summit between Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev and U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Although initially regarded as lacking immediate breakthroughs, this summit laid important groundwork for ending the Cold War, earning recognition for Iceland’s diplomatic role. In addition, he was an early advocate for Lithuanian sovereignty in 1991, with Iceland being the very first nation to acknowledge Lithuania’s independence following its separation from the Soviet Union.
Following his retirement from active politics, Steingrímur adopted a low public profile but co-founded Heimssýn, an organization opposing Iceland’s accession to the European Union. He also voiced criticism toward policies adopted by the Progressive Party. Furthermore, he supported "The Iceland Movement," an environmental political group which participated unsuccessfully in the 2007 elections; he appeared in their television advertisements. These activities resulted in a decline of his status as the party’s revered "Grand Old Man."
In his later years, Steingrímur earned respect as a senior statesman and was considered a contender for the presidency in 1996 but ultimately declined, opting for retirement at age seventy. His three-volume memoir series published between 1998 and 2000 became bestsellers.
By 2007, disillusioned with the Progressive Party’s shift toward more conservative policies, he departed from it and endorsed the Icelandic Movement. Former Canadian Prime Minister Brian Mulroney humorously referenced Steingrímur’s famously lengthy speeches during George H. W. Bush’s state funeral in 2018.
Family
Steingrímur was married twice and fathered six children. His youngest son, Guðmundur Steingrímsson, actively participated in Icelandic politics from 2007 until 2016. Initially elected to the Althing representing the Social Democratic Alliance in 2007, he switched allegiance to the Progressive Party in 2009, following both his grandfather's and father's footsteps, and secured re-election. In 2013, he founded and led Bright Future (Bright Future), with aspirations to become prime minister like his predecessors.
His eldest children—John, Ellen, and Neil Hermannsson—reside with their families in the United States while maintaining connections to Iceland.