Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg
Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Franz Joseph Sylvester Buhl-Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg (born 5 December 1971), known professionally as Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg, is a German businessman and politician of the Christian Social Union (CSU). He served as a member of the Bundestag from 2002 to 2011, as Secretary-General of the CSU from 2008 to 2009, as Federal Minister for Economics and Technology in 2009 and as Federal Minister of Defence from 2009 to 2011.
Karl-Theodor zu Guttenberg Bundesminister a. D. | |
|---|---|
Guttenberg in 2017 | |
| Minister of Defence | |
| In office 28 October 2009 – 1 March 2011 | |
| Chancellor | Angela Merkel |
| Preceded by | Franz Josef Jung |
| Succeeded by | Thomas de Maizière |
| Minister for Economic Affairs and Technology | |
| In office 10 February 2009 – 27 October 2009 | |
| Chancellor | Angela Merkel |
| Preceded by | Michael Glos |
| Succeeded by | Rainer Brüderle |
| Secretary General of the Christian Social Union | |
| In office 3 November 2008 – 10 February 2009 | |
| Leader | Horst Seehofer |
| Preceded by | Christine Haderthauer |
| Succeeded by | Alexander Dobrindt |
| Member of the Bundestag for Kulmbach | |
| In office 17 October 2002 – 3 March 2011 | |
| Preceded by | Bernd Protzner |
| Succeeded by | Emmi Zeulner (2013) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Karl-Theodor Maria Nikolaus Johann Jacob Philipp Joseph Sylvester Friedrich Buhl-Freiherr von und zu Guttenberg 5 December 1971 Munich, West Germany |
| Political party | Christian Social Union |
| Spouse | Stephanie zu Guttenberg
(m. 2000) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parent(s) | Enoch zu Guttenberg Christiane zu Eltz |
| Alma mater | University of Bayreuth |
| Signature | |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Germany |
| Branch/service | Bundeswehr |
| Years of service | 1991–1992 |
| Unit | Army (Heer) / Gebirgsjägerbrigade 23 |
After the discovery of plagiarism in his doctoral dissertation and the decision of the University of Bayreuth to revoke his doctorate, an affair known as Guttenberg plagiarism scandal, he resigned from all political posts in March 2011.
In 2011, Guttenberg joined the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Guttenberg is the chairman and a founder of Spitzberg Partners, an advisory and investment firm based in New York City. He returned to German politics during the 2017 federal election by making a speech which was widely described as a comeback.