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Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz, also known as Friedrich Merz, was born on November 11, 1955, in Brilon, West Germany. He is a German politician and the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) since January 2022. Since February 2022, he has also been the head of the CDU/CSU group in the German parliament (Bundestag) and the Leader of the Opposition.
In September 2024, Merz was chosen as the CDU/CSU’s candidate for Chancellor in the 2025 federal election. The CDU won the most seats in the election and formed a coalition with the SPD. Merz is expected to become the next Chancellor of Germany on May 6, 2025, taking over from Olaf Scholz.
Early Life and Education
Merz was raised in Brilon, in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia. His father was a judge and a CDU member. His mother’s family, the Sauvigny family, was well known in the area. He grew up in the Sauvigny family home.
He first attended Gymnasium Petrinum in Brilon but had to leave due to discipline issues. He later graduated from Friedrich-Spee Gymnasium in Rüthen in 1975. After that, he served in the German Army for one year in an artillery unit.
Merz studied law with a scholarship from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. He studied at the University of Bonn and the University of Marburg and finished law school in 1985. He first worked as a judge and later as a lawyer in the chemical industry.
Political Career
Merz entered politics in 1989 when he was elected to the European Parliament. In 1994, he became a member of the Bundestag. He soon became a key figure in financial policy for the CDU. In 2000, he became the leader of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group, while Angela Merkel became CDU party leader. They were seen as rivals at the time.
After Merkel took over as parliamentary leader in 2002, Merz became her deputy. He stepped down in 2004 and left politics completely in 2009 to return to his legal career. He worked for the law firm Mayer Brown and was involved in banking and corporate law. He also served on company boards, including BlackRock Germany.
Merz returned to politics in 2018. After two failed attempts to lead the CDU, he finally became party leader in 2022.
Beliefs and Views
Merz supports strong ties with the U.S., NATO, and the European Union. He has called for more economic freedom and supports a united European army. He has taken strong positions against Russia and China and is critical of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies.
Personal Life
Merz is married to Charlotte Merz, who is also a judge. They have three children and live in Arnsberg. In 2005, they founded a charity that supports education. Merz speaks German, French, and English. He is also a licensed pilot and owns two small airplanes.
In 2008, he wrote a book called Mehr Kapitalismus wagen (“Venturing More Capitalism”), in which he talks about creating a fairer society through economic freedom.
Parents
Friedrich Merz was born to Joachim Merz and Paula Sauvigny. His father, Joachim, was a judge and a member of the CDU. His mother came from the Sauvigny family, a well-known family in Brilon with French roots. His grandfather, Josef Paul Sauvigny, was once the mayor of Brilon.
Siblings
There is no public information available about Friedrich Merz having any brothers or sisters.Height
Friedrich Merz is around 1.90 meters (6 feet 3 inches) tall.Wife
He is married to Charlotte Merz, who is also a judge. They got married in 1981 and have been together for many years.Children
Friedrich and Charlotte Merz have three children. They keep their family life mostly private.Nationality
Friedrich Merz is German. He was born in Brilon, North Rhine-Westphalia, which was part of West Germany.Religion
Friedrich Merz is a Roman Catholic. He also joined a Catholic student fraternity during his university years.Books
Friedrich Merz wrote a book called "Mehr Kapitalismus wagen", which means "Venturing More Capitalism". In this book, he talks about how free markets and economic freedom can help build a fair society.Net Worth
Friedrich Merz is known to be a multimillionaire. He worked for big companies like BlackRock and as a lawyer, which helped him earn a lot of money. Though his exact net worth is not public, it is estimated to be several million euros.FAQs
1. What is Friedrich Merz real name?
- His full name is Joachim-Friedrich Martin Josef Merz.
2. How old is Friedrich Merz?
- He was born on 11 November 1955, so he is 69 years old (as of 2025).
3. What is Friedrich Merz career?
- Friedrich Merz is a German politician. He is the leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and is set to become Chancellor of Germany in May 2025. He was also a lawyer and worked in business before returning to politics.
4. What is Friedrich Merz educational background?
- He studied law at the University of Bonn and University of Marburg. He received a scholarship from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
5. Who are Friedrich Merz parents?
- His father was Joachim Merz, a judge and CDU member. His mother was Paula Sauvigny, from a respected family in Brilon.
6. How tall is Friedrich Merz?
- Friedrich Merz is about 1.90 meters tall (6 feet 3 inches).
7. Is Friedrich Merz married?
- Yes, he is married to Charlotte Merz, who is also a judge. They got married in 1981.
8. Does Friedrich Merz have children?
- Yes, he has three children, but he keeps details about them private.
9. What is Friedrich Merz nationality and religion?
- He is German and follows the Roman Catholic religion.
10. Has Friedrich Merz been involved in any controversies?
- Yes, in 2018, he refused the Ludwig Erhard Prize because of controversial comments made by the prize foundation’s chairman. Some also criticize his strong pro-business views and links to large corporations like BlackRock.
11. What is Friedrich Merz net worth?
- Friedrich Merz is a multimillionaire. He made a lot of money as a corporate lawyer and business executive, but his exact net worth is not public.
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