Former German Housing Minister Oscar Schneider Dies at 97

The CSU politician and close confidant of Helmut Kohl was instrumental in shaping Germany’s cultural and architectural legacy.

Oscar Schneider, a former Federal Minister for Spatial Planning, Construction, and Urban Development under Chancellor Helmut Kohl, passed away on December 29, 2024, at the age of 97.
Schneider was a key advocate for the construction of the iconic glass dome atop the Reichstag, which has become a symbol of modern Berlin and German unity.
He played a pivotal role in establishing significant cultural institutions, including the German Historical Museum in Berlin and the Documentation Center at the former Nazi Party Rally Grounds in Nuremberg.
The politician served as a Bundestag member from 1969 to 1994 and was deeply involved in cultural and historical preservation efforts throughout his career.
Schneider was honored with numerous awards, including the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, for his contributions to German culture and history.