Who Is Zbigniew Brzezinski? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Zbigniew Brzezinski was born on March 28, 1928. As of 2025, he would be 97 years old. Brzezinski was an influential Polish-American diplomat and political scientist who served as National Security Advisor to President Jimmy Carter from 1977 to 1981. His intellectual contributions to foreign policy, particularly in U.S.-Soviet relations and Middle Eastern geopolitics, positioned him as a pivotal figure during the Cold War. He passed away on May 26, 2017, but his impact on international relations continues to be studied and revered.
Occupation | Political Scientist |
---|---|
Date of Birth | March 28, 1928 |
Age | 89 Years |
Birth Place | Warsaw, Poland |
Horoscope | Aries |
Country | Poland |
Date of death | 26 May, 2017 |
Died Place | Falls Church, Virginia, U.S. |
Popularity
Zbigniew Brzezinski's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While exact measurements regarding Zbigniew Brzezinski's height and weight are not widely documented, it is known that he maintained a distinguished appearance throughout his career. He was often seen in professional attire, embodying the stature expected of someone in his esteemed position.
During the 1970s and 1980s, at the height of his political involvement, Brzezinski participated in the formation of the Trilateral Commission in order to more closely cement U.S.–Japanese–European relations.
As the three most economically advanced sectors of the world, the people of the three regions could be brought together in cooperation that would give them a more cohesive stance against the communist world.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Zbigniew Brzezinski was married to Emilie Beneš Brzezinski for more than 60 years, until his passing in 2017. They had three children together, and Brzezinski was known to be a devoted family man. His family often highlighted his dedication to his children, creating a loving and supportive home environment despite his demanding career in public service and academia.
The town of Brzeżany is thought to be the source of the family name. Brzezinski's parents were Leonia (née Roman) Brzezińska and Tadeusz Brzeziński, a Polish diplomat who was posted to Germany from 1931 to 1935; Zbigniew Brzezinski thus spent some of his earliest years witnessing the rise of the Nazis.
From 1936 to 1938, Tadeusz Brzeziński was posted to the Soviet Union during Joseph Stalin's Great Purge, and was later praised by Israel for his work helping Jews escape from the Nazis.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death in 2017, estimates suggested that Zbigniew Brzezinski had a net worth ranging from $5 million to $10 million. His wealth was derived from his long and impactful career in government, policy consulting, and academia, along with speaking engagements and book royalties from his numerous published works.
Career, Business and Investments
Brzezinski’s illustrious career spanned several decades, during which he held various prestigious positions. He served as a key advisor during the Carter administration and was instrumental in the United States' approach to foreign policy, particularly regarding the Soviet Union. After leaving office, he continued to influence international discourse as a professor at Johns Hopkins University and through his writings.
Beyond his political roles, Brzezinski was involved with several think tanks and institutions, where he crafted strategies that shaped U.S. diplomacy. His written works, including "The Grand Chessboard," have remained critical evaluations of geopolitical strategy.
In his 1970 piece Between Two Ages: America's Role in the Technetronic Era, Brzezinski argued that a coordinated policy among developed nations was necessary in order to counter global instability erupting from increasing economic inequality.
Out of this thesis, Brzezinski co-founded the Trilateral Commission with David Rockefeller, serving as director from 1973 to 1976. The Trilateral Commission is a group of prominent political and business leaders and academics primarily from the United States, Western Europe and Japan.
Its purpose was to strengthen relations among the three most industrially advanced regions of the capitalist world. In 1974, Brzezinski selected Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter as a member.
Social Network
Even after his death, Zbigniew Brzezinski's influence can be felt across various social media platforms where discussions about his theories and writings continue to thrive. Scholars and political analysts often quote his work, and his legacy is preserved through platforms like Twitter, LinkedIn, and several dedicated political science forums that discuss his insights on global affairs.
Brzezinski, acting under a lame duck Carter presidency—but encouraged that Solidarity in Poland had vindicated his style of engagement with Eastern Europe—took a hard-line stance against what seemed like an imminent Soviet invasion of Poland.
He even made a midnight phone call to Pope John Paul II (whose visit to Poland in 1979 had foreshadowed the emergence of Solidarity) warning him in advance. The U.S. stance was a significant change from previous reactions to Soviet repression in Hungary in 1956 and Czechoslovakia in 1968.
Education
Brzezinski pursued higher education at institutions renowned for their political science programs. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from McGill University in Canada and went on to attain a master’s degree and a doctorate from Harvard University. His scholarly achievements laid the groundwork for his future roles in government and academia.
Zbigniew Kazimierz Brzeziński (, ; March 28, 1928 – May 26, 2017), known as Zbig, was a Polish-American diplomat and political scientist. He served as a counselor to Lyndon B. Johnson from 1966 to 1968 and was Jimmy Carter's National Security Advisor from 1977 to 1981.
As a scholar, Brzezinski belonged to the realist school of international relations, standing in the geopolitical tradition of Halford Mackinder and Nicholas J. Spykman, while elements of liberal idealism have also been identified in his outlook. Brzezinski was the primary organizer of The Trilateral Commission.
Conclusion
Zbigniew Brzezinski’s multifaceted life as a diplomat, academic, and policy maker left an indelible mark on the landscape of international relations. While he passed away in 2017, his ideas and contributions continue to resonate, making him a significant figure in both the scholarly analysis of geopolitics and the practice of diplomacy in the modern world.