Who Is Franjo Tuđman? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on May 14, 1922, Franjo Tuđman made significant contributions to the establishment of the Republic of Croatia. As of 2025, Tuđman would be 102 years old, though he passed away on December 10, 1999. His life was marked by pivotal moments in Croatian history, particularly during the Yugoslav Wars, where he played a critical role in advocating for Croatian independence.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 14, 1922 |
| Age | 77 Years |
| Birth Place | Veliko Trgovišće, Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Croatia |
| Date of death | 10 December, 1999 |
| Died Place | Zagreb, Croatia |
Popularity
Franjo Tuđman's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details on Franjo Tuđman’s height and weight are not widely documented, he was known to have a robust build typical of many individuals born in the early 20th century. His physical presence was frequently noted during public appearances and speeches.
The Bosniak leadership initially showed willingness to remain in a rump Yugoslavia, but later changed their policy and opted for independence. The Croat leadership started organizing themselves in Croat-majority areas and on 18 November 1991 established the Croatian Community of Herzeg-Bosnia as an autonomous Croat territorial unit.
At a meeting in December 1991 with the HDZ BiH leadership Tuđman discussed the possibility of joining Herzeg-Bosnia to Croatia as he thought that Bosnian representatives were working to remain in Yugoslavia. There he criticized HDZ BiH president Stjepan Kljujić for siding with Izetbegović.
However, in February 1992 he encouraged Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina to support the upcoming Bosnian independence referendum. Izetbegović declared the country's independence on 6 April that was immediately recognised by Croatia. At the beginning of the Bosnian war a Croat-Bosniak alliance was formed, though it was often not harmonious.
The Croatian government helped arm both Croat and Bosniak forces. On 21 July 1992, the Agreement on Friendship and Cooperation was signed by Tuđman and Izetbegović, establishing a military cooperation between the two armies.
In September 1992 they signed two more agreements on cooperation and further negotiations regarding the internal organization of Bosnia and Herzegovina, though Izetbegović rejected a military pact. In January 1993 Tuđman said that Bosnia and Herzegovina could survive only as a confederal union of three nations.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Franjo Tuđman was married to Ankica Tuđman, and together they raised a family, including their two children. Their marriage was marked by a shared commitment to Croatian nationalism. To this day, the Tuđman family remains an integral part of Croatian political life, with some relatives continuing to engage in public service and representing the Tuđman legacy.
His father Stjepan ran a local tavern and was a politically active member of the Croatian Peasant Party (HSS). He had been president of the HSS committee in Veliko Trgovišće for 16 years (1925–1941 and had been elected as mayor of Veliko Trgovišće in 1936 and 1938).
Mato, Andraš and Juraj, brothers of Stjepan Tuđman, emigrated to the United States. Another brother, Valentin, also tried to emigrate, but a travelling accident prevented him and kept him in Veliko Trgovišće, where he worked as an (uneducated) veterinarian.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his presidency, Franjo Tuđman’s net worth was not publicly disclosed; however, it is estimated that his wealth was primarily derived from his political career and various involvements in the cultural and political organizations of Croatia. Specific figures regarding his salary as President are not readily available, yet it can be inferred that, like many leaders, he had access to various state resources.
Treatment of the media brought criticism from some international organizations. Notably, the Feral Tribune, a weekly Croatian political and satirical newspaper magazine, was subjected to several lawsuits and criminal charges from government officials as well as being forced to pay a tax usually reserved for pornographic magazines.
Some opposition parties in Croatia advocated the view that, far from Europeanising Croatia, Tuđman was responsible for its "Balkanisation" and that during his presidency, he acted like a despot. Other parties, for instance the Croatian Party of Rights, argued that Tuđman was not radical enough in his defence of the Croatian state.
Career, Business and Investments
Franjo Tuđman’s career spanned several decades, beginning as a historian and military officer. His most notable role came when he became the founding president of Croatia. Under his leadership, Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia and pursued international recognition. During his presidency, Tuđman focused on nation-building, economic reform, and strengthening Croatian national identity. Post-presidency, his legacy continues through various Croatian institutions honoring his contributions.
HDZ won the first Croatian parliamentary elections in 1990 and Tuđman became the President of the Presidency of SR Croatia. As president, Tuđman introduced a new constitution and pressed for the creation of an independent Croatia. On 19 May 1991, an independence referendum was held, which was approved by 93 percent of voters.
Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia on 25 June 1991. Areas with a Serb majority revolted, backed by the Yugoslav Army, and Tuđman led Croatia during its War of Independence. A ceasefire was signed in 1992, but the war had spread into Bosnia and Herzegovina, where Croats fought in an alliance with Bosniaks.
Their cooperation fell apart in late 1992 and Tuđman's government sided with Herzeg-Bosnia during the Croat-Bosniak War, a move that brought criticism from the international community.
In a final verdict of war crimes trial of former high-ranking officials of Herceg-Bosnia, the ICTY stated that Tuđman shared in their joint criminal enterprise goal of establishing an entity to reunite the Croatian people which was to be implemented through the ethnic cleansing of Bosnian Muslims.
However, it did not find him guilty of any specific crimes.
Social Network
While Franjo Tuđman passed away in 1999, his influence can still be felt across various social networks—from political forums to commemorative sites dedicated to Croatian nationalism. His family, particularly his children, continue to represent his ideologies and maintain connections within political and cultural sectors, promoting dialogue related to his historical impact.
In his youth, he fought during World War II as a member of the Yugoslav Partisans. After the war, he took a post in the Ministry of Defence, later attaining the rank of major general of the Yugoslav People's Army in 1960. After his military career, he dedicated himself to the study of geopolitics.
In 1963, he became a professor at the Zagreb Faculty of Political Sciences. He received a doctorate in history in 1965 and worked as a historian until coming into conflict with the regime. Tuđman participated in the Croatian Spring movement that called for reforms in the country and was imprisoned for his activities in 1972.
He lived relatively anonymously in the following years until the end of communism, whereupon he began his political career by founding the Croatian Democratic Union (HDZ) in 1989.
Education
Franjo Tuđman was educated at the University of Zagreb, where he studied history and became widely recognized for his scholarly contributions to Croatian history. His education laid the foundation for his later political theories and ideologies centered on nationalism and sovereignty.
Franjo and Ankica did not qualify as secondary school graduates until after the war, in Belgrade. He graduated from the Partisan High School in 1945 and she finished five semesters of English language in the Yugoslav Foreign Ministry.
