Bacharuddin Jusuf Habibie was born on June 25, 1936, in the city of Parepare, in the South Sulawesi province of Indonesia. He was the fourth of eight children born to Alwi Abdul Jalil Habibie and Tuti Marini Puspowardojo. His mother was a noblewoman, while his father worked as an agriculturist. Growing up, Habibie was exposed to different cultures and languages due to his parents' diverse backgrounds.
After completing his primary education in Parepare, Habibie moved to Makassar to attend high school. He later moved to Bandung, where he pursued his interest in aviation and aerospace at the Technische Hogeschool Delft in the Netherlands. He then continued his studies at the Technische Hochschule Aachen in Germany, where he earned a degree in engineering.
After completing his education, Habibie worked for the German aerospace company Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm. He later returned to Indonesia and began working at the state-owned aircraft manufacturer Industri Pesawat Terbang Nusantara (IPTN). His expertise in aerospace engineering earned him recognition, and he was appointed as the Minister of Research and Technology in 1978.
During his tenure as the State Minister for Research and Technology, Habibie focused on advancing Indonesia's technological capabilities. He implemented policies to promote innovation and research in various fields, including telecommunications and aerospace. His dedication to technological advancement earned him a reputation as a forward-thinking leader.
In 1998, following the resignation of President Suharto, Habibie was sworn in as the President of Indonesia. His presidency marked a period of significant political and social change in the country. One of his notable achievements was the liberalization of press and political party laws, which opened up new opportunities for freedom of speech and political participation.
During his presidency, Habibie introduced economic reforms aimed at stabilizing Indonesia's economy and promoting growth. He also focused on improving education and healthcare services for the Indonesian people. Despite facing challenges and criticism during his time in office, he remained committed to serving his country and implementing reforms for the betterment of society.
Aside from his political career, Habibie was a devoted family man. He was married to Hasri Ainun Besari, with whom he had two sons named Ilham Akbar Habibie and Thareq Kemal Habibie. Tragically, his wife passed away in 2010, leaving a void in his life.
Throughout his life, Habibie remained dedicated to his country and its people. His legacy as a visionary leader and innovator continues to inspire generations of Indonesians. He passed away on September 11, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and service that will forever be remembered.
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