- Born on 18 May 1937 in Wasserbillig (L)

- Nationality: Luxembourgish

- Leader of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) (1974‒1982)

- Member of the European Parliament (1975‒1979; 1999‒2004)

- Minister for Finance, Labour and Social Security (1979‒1984).

- Prime Minister, Minister of State and Minister for Finance (1984‒1995)

- Governor of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) (1991‒1994)

- President of the European Commission (1995‒1999)

- Member of the European Convention (2002‒2003)