take industry representatives on their trips, calling himself a victim of "a left-wing zeitgeist that considers making business questionable". According to Politico Europe Westerwelle contributed to the decline of the power of the German foreign ministry due to his lack of expertise in the area and was considered ineffective in the role. Other activities (selection) Bertelsmann Stiftung, member of the Board of Trustees (2015–2016) KfW, ex-officio member of the Board of Supervisory Directors (2009–2013) ARAG Group, member of the supervisory board (2005–2009) Deutsche Vermögensberatung, member of the advisory board (2005–2009) ZDF, ex-officio member of the Television Board (1998–2006) Recognition (selection) 2006 – Honorary doctorate of the Hanyang University, Seoul 2013 – Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland (Komtur mit Stern) 2013 – Orden del Mérito Civil of Spain Personal life On 20 July 2004, Westerwelle attended Angela Merkel's 50th birthday party accompanied by his partner, Michael Mronz. It was the first time he had attended an official event with his partner and this was considered his public coming-out. The couple registered their partnership on 17 September 2010 in a private ceremony in Bonn. Death On 20 June 2014, it was reported that Westerwelle was suffering from acute myeloid leukemia. He underwent chemotherapy and a bone-marrow transplant. He last appeared in public in November 2015, presenting a book on his battle with blood cancer called Between Two Lives. Westerwelle died of the disease in Cologne on 18 March 2016, at the age of 54. References Bibliography Guido Westerwelle, the Liberals' Top Gun Profile in Deutsche Welle, 20 July 2005 Further reading External links Westerwelle's personal website (in German) |- |- 1961 births 2016 deaths Deaths from cancer in Germany Deaths from acute myeloid leukemia Foreign Ministers of Germany Gay politicians 20th-century German lawyers German Lutherans German political candidates Gay diplomats LGBT lawyers LGBT Lutherans LGBT members of the Bundestag German LGBT rights activists Members of the Bundestag for North Rhine-Westphalia People from Bad Honnef University of Bonn alumni Vice-Chancellors of Germany University of Hagen alumni Members of the Bundestag 2009–2013 Members of the Bundestag 2005–2009 Members of the Bundestag 2002–2005 Members of the Bundestag 1998–2002 Members of the Bundestag 1994–1998 Members of the Bundestag for the Free Democratic Party (Germany) 20th-century Lutherans 21st-century German diplomats