17 Facts About Spyros Kyprianou

Spyros Achilleos Kyprianou was a Cypriot barrister and politician, who served as President of Cyprus from 1977 to 1988.

Spyros Kyprianou served as President of the Cypriot House of Representatives from 1976 to 1977 and then again from 1996 to 2001, as well as being President of the Democratic Party, which he founded, from 1976 to 2000.

Spyros Kyprianou entered office in acting capacity following the death of President Makarios III in 1977, before being elected unopposed for the rest of Makarios' term in the resulting by-election the following month.

Spyros Kyprianou was elected for the next full term in 1978, again unopposed, and re-elected for a second full term 1983, but lost his bid to secure a third full term in 1988.

Spyros Kyprianou's father came from a multi-child family from Lefkara, while his mother was a member of Araouzos political family from Limassol.

Spyros Kyprianou studied Economics and Commerce at the City of London College and law at Gray's Inn.

From August 1956 to March 1957, Spyros Kyprianou represented the Cyprus Ethnarchy in New York.

Spyros Kyprianou participated in meetings of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, of which he served as chairman from April to December 1967.

Spyros Kyprianou resigned from his post as Minister of Foreign Affairs on 5 May 1972, after a dispute with the military regime in Athens.

On 1 August 1974, following the coup of the Greek junta and the Turkish invasion in Cyprus, Spyros Kyprianou went to Athens where he had talks with the Government of National Unity, which took over following the collapse of the junta.

Spyros Kyprianou travelled between Athens and London where President Makarios was staying temporarily.

Spyros Kyprianou was defeated by George Vassiliou at the elections in 1988.

Spyros Kyprianou was awarded medals of honour, distinctions and decorations by various countries.

Spyros Kyprianou stepped down in 2001, ending a 30-year career in politics.

Spyros Kyprianou married Mimi Pagathrokliton in 1956 and had two sons, Achilleas and Markos.

Spyros Kyprianou died on 12 March 2002 after a long fight with cancer.

Spyros Kyprianou was survived by his wife, Mimi Pagathrokliton, and their two sons.