14 Facts About Wilfried Martens

Wilfried Martens was one of the founders of the European People's Party.

Wilfried Martens was born on 19 April 1936 in the village of Sleidinge, East Flanders, the son of modest small farmers.

Wilfried Martens studied law at the Catholic University of Leuven, graduating in 1960.

Wilfried Martens became active in the Flemish Movement as a student.

Wilfried Martens began to draw public attention in 1957 when, as president of the Flemish Youth Committee, he organized a march to protest the lack of Flemish presence in the 1958 Brussels World's Fair, and was arrested while protesting the opening of the exposition.

Wilfried Martens served as the party's chairman from 1972 to 1979, sitting as a deputy in the Chamber of Representatives from 1974 to 1991, and serving as a Senator from 1991 to 1994.

Wilfried Martens served as Prime Minister in nine coalition governments from 3 April 1979 to 6 April 1981 and 17 December 1981 to 7 March 1992.

Wilfried Martens co-founded the European People's Party in 1976 and was EPP President from 1992 until his death.

Wilfried Martens negotiated with Finnish politician Sauli Niinisto the merger of the European Democrat Union into the EPP.

Wilfried Martens held a doctorate in law, a degree in notarial studies, as well as a baccalaureate in Thomistic philosophy from the Catholic University of Louvain.

Wilfried Martens practised law at the Ghent court of appeal.

Wilfried Martens had five children: two from his first marriage with Lieve Verschroeven and three with Ilse Schouteden.

Wilfried Martens suffered from pancreatic cancer and ended his life via euthanasia on the 9th of October, 2013 at his home in Lokeren; he was 77.

Wilfried Martens received a state funeral he was buried in the cemetery of Campo Santo.