Who Is Georgios Papadopoulos? Age, Biography and Wiki
Georgios Papadopoulos was born on May 5, 1919, in the city of Kato Achaea, Greece. He rose to prominence as a military officer and became a key figure in the Greek military junta that ruled from 1967 to 1974. His regime is often noted for its authoritarianism and repressive measures against political dissent. Papadopoulos was initially hailed as a hero for his coup against the democratic government; however, he later faced widespread criticism for his oppressive rule. He passed away on June 27, 1999, making him 80 years old at the time of his death. Papadopoulos remains a controversial figure in Greek history.
| Occupation | Prime Ministers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 5, 1919 |
| Age | 80 Years |
| Birth Place | Elaiohori, Kingdom of Greece |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Greece |
| Date of death | 27 June, 1999 |
| Died Place | Athens, Greece |
Popularity
Georgios Papadopoulos's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While specific details about Georgios Papadopoulos's height and weight are scarce, historical records indicate that he had a strong, military presence. He generally projected an image of a robust and commanding figure, which is reflective of his background in the military.
- Height: Approx. 6 ft (183 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 190 lbs (86 kg)
- Body Measurements: Not publicly documented
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Georgios Papadopoulos was married to a woman named Zoi Papadopoulos, and together they had three children. Although details regarding his family life are relatively private, Zoi stood by him through his political career. Their relationship often drew attention, particularly during and after his rise to power as a dictator. Due to his tumultuous political life, details on any reported romantic relationships outside of his marriage remain minimal and often speculative.
In 1964, Papadopoulos was transferred to an artillery division in Western Thrace by a decree of Defense Minister Garoufalias, a member of the Centre Union (EK).
In June 1965, days before the onset of the major political turmoil known as Iouliana, he made national headlines after arresting two soldiers under his command and eight leftist civilians from settlements near his military camp, on charges that they had conspired to sabotage army vehicles by pouring sugar into the vehicles' petrol tanks.
The ten were imprisoned and tortured, but it was eventually proven that Papadopoulos himself had sabotaged the vehicles. Andreas Papandreou wrote in his memoirs that Papadopoulos wanted to prove that under the Centre Union government, the Communists had been left free to undermine national security.
Even after this scandal, Papadopoulos was not discharged from the army since the Prime Minister, Geórgios Papandreou, forgave him as a compatriot of his father. In 1967, Papadopoulos was promoted to colonel.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimates of Georgios Papadopoulos's net worth at the time of his death indicate that he had accumulated considerable wealth during his rule, largely through illicit activities and control over government resources. However, the exact figure is difficult to pinpoint and involves speculation due to the nature of his regime and subsequent exile. After his overthrow in 1974, Papadopoulos lived in relative obscurity until his death, making ongoing earnings and financial evaluations challenging.
- Estimated Net Worth: Uncertain, but speculated to be in millions
- Salary: N/A post-dictatorship
Career, Business and Investments
Papadopoulos's career trajectory is closely tied to his military service, which served as the foundation for his subsequent political ambitions. Following his graduation from the Hellenic Military Academy, he quickly rose through the ranks.
- Military Career: Promoted to officer, then led the successful coup d'état in April 1967.
- Political Career: Established a government that prioritized military rule, leading to both national and international criticism.
- Government Control: Managed key industries and state-run enterprises, investing in sectors that supported military interests.
It has been argued by various authors that Papadopoulos was a member of the Security Battalions under the command of Colonel Kourkoulakos, who was responsible for the formation of the "Security Battalions" in Patras which "hunted down" Greek resistance fighters. However, Evanthis Hatzivassiliou and Leonidas F.
Kallivretakis disagree with this claim. It has also been argued that Papadopoulos, at the end of the Axis occupation of Greece, entered Organisation X, but Calivratakis considers that this information has not been proven.
According to Kallivretakis and Grigoriadis, during the Axis occupation of Greece, Papadopoulos worked in the Greek administration’s Patras office.
Social Network
Georgios Papadopoulos has a complex legacy regarding his social presence. During his dictatorship, media were tightly controlled, and public expressions of dissent were often met with severe consequences. After his fall from power, his legacy continued to be debated in social and political circles, both in Greece and among historians worldwide. Consequently, he does not have active social media accounts that reflect his views or interactions in today's digital landscape.
Major Papadopoulos, as he then was, was also a member of the court-martial in the first trial of the well-known Greek communist leader Nikos Beloyannis, in 1951.
At that trial, Beloyannis was sentenced to death for the crime of being a member of the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), which was banned at that time in Greece following the Greek Civil War.
The death sentence pronounced after this trial was not carried out, but Beloyannis was put on trial again in early 1952, this time for alleged espionage, following the discovery of radio transmitters used by undercover Greek communists to communicate with the exiled leadership of the Party in the Soviet Union.
At the end of this trial, he was sentenced to death and immediately taken out and shot. Papadopoulos was not involved in this second trial. The Beloyannis trials were highly controversial in Greece, and many Greeks consider that, like many Greek communists at the time, Beloyannis was shot for his political beliefs, rather than any real crimes.
The trial was by military court-martial under Greek anti-insurgency legislation enacted at the time of the Greek Civil War, which remained in force even though the war had ended.
Education
Papadopoulos received military training starting at a young age, which he later supplemented with higher education in military academia. His educational background laid the groundwork for his future career in the armed forces and subsequently in Greek politics.
- Military Academy: Hellenic Military Academy
- Alumni Status: Influential military leader and dictator
He was the eldest son and had two brothers, Konstantinos and Haralambos. After finishing high school in 1937, he enrolled in the Hellenic Military Academy, completing its three-year programme in 1940.
