Former U.N. Secretary-General Kurt Waldheim, who hid his Nazi past while leading the world body for nine years, died Thursday at age 88.
Waldheim died of heart failure at his home in Austria, just weeks after being hospitalized for an infection, according to the Austrian broadcasting service ORF.
In a written statement, Austrian President Heinz Fischer expressed his "deepest condolences" and had the flag lowered outside his office to half-staff.
"We have lost a great Austrian," Austrian Vice Chancellor Wilhelm Molterer said.
Waldheim served as U.N. secretary-general from 1972-81, but it was not until he ran for president of Austria in 1986 that his military service in Nazi Germany came to light.
Waldheim was 19 years old when his native Austria was annexed by Hitler's Nazi army. He signed up with a Nazi unit later that year and served until 1945. During that time, he served in the Balkans as an aide to a Nazi general, who was later executed for war crimes.
Waldheim lied about his military service, omitting the detail from his autobiographies. He eventually admitted to serving in the Nazi military after the World Jewish Congress published evidence, but he maintained that he did not commit war crimes or know about many of the atrocities carried out by the Nazis.
The revelations of his Nazi service sparked international criticism and investigations that led to international censure. In 1987, U.S. officials put his name on a watch list that prevented him from visiting the United States. That ban was never lifted.
Waldheim's election to the Austrian presidency led to controversy among Austrians and damaged the country's reputation worldwide. He was largely shunned by foreign leaders during his 1986-92 tenure.
After leaving office in 1992, he wrote that his military service was necessary to survive the war.
Waldheim is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elisabeth, and their three children.
Written by Kayla Webley from NPR and Associated Press reports.
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