Otto Grotewohl

German politician (1894–1964)

Otto Grotewohl (German pronunciation: [ˈɔtoː ˈɡʁoːtəvoːl]; 11 March 1894 – 23 September 1964) was an (East) German politician. He was co-chairman of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) from 1946 to 1950 (together with Wilhelm Pieck), and the first prime minister of the German Democratic Republic from 1949 until his death in 1964.

Otto Grotewohl
Prime Minister of East Germany
In office
12 October 1949 – 21 September 1964
PresidentWilhelm Pieck
Walter Ulbricht
Preceded byNone
Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk, as last Head of Government of Nazi Germany
Succeeded byWilli Stoph
Personal details
Born(1894-03-11)11 March 1894
Braunschweig, Duchy of Brunswick, German Empire
Died21 September 1964(1964-09-21) (aged 70)
East Berlin, East Germany
NationalityGerman
Political partyUSPD, SPD, SED
Spouse(s)Marie Martha Louise
Children2
ProfessionPrinter, politician

On behalf of the Independent Social Democratic Party of Germany (USPD) and later the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) Grotewohl was a member of the Landtag of the Free State of Brunswick from 1920 to 1930, and also a minister of the Free State of Brunswick. He was also a member of the Reichstag from 1925 to 1933.