What did these former heads of state become?
What have become of some former heads of state? Of course, everyone tries to embark on an activity in which he feels to be fulfilled.
Barack Obama, the former US president launched into the cinema. Last Monday, Netflix confirmed having signed with Barack and Michelle Obama to produce several movies and series.
By contrast, another former US president, Ronald Reagan, had done the opposite: he had gone from the cinema to the US presidency. It must be said that reconversion is a sometimes-risky exercise for heads of state. Some are reluctant to leave the political sphere, others create foundations and give high-paying lectures.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy for example had taken over the party in 2014 after the announcement in 2012 of his departure from politics. At the same time, he gave very well-paid conferences on the model of Bill Clinton or Tony Blair, before joining in May 2017 the board of directors of AccorHotels.
Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder chose the private sector after his various political mandates. He was first employed by the Russian company Gazprom, as advisor to several banks, before becoming a member of the board of the British-Russian oil group TNK-BP, then chairman of the board of the Russian oil giant Rosneft.
Regarding former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, after leading his country from 1997 to 2007, he set up a consulting firm to assist foreign rulers. At the same time, he served as an envoy to the Middle East for the United Nations, the European Union, the United States and Russia. In 2016, he dissolved the structure and said he wanted to devote himself to charity.
In Italy, former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi despite his 81 years and after three terms at the helm of the country, still remains very present on the political scene. At the same time, he chose the university path. Since September 2015, Berlusconi has become the Dean of Sciences Po International School of Business (PSIA) in Paris.
George W. Bush, instead chose a more peaceful retreat. After handing over the keys to the White House in January 2009, he retired to his Texas ranch where he writes and works for his library, inaugurated in 2013. In addition to a few lectures and the publication of his memoirs, he devotes himself to the painting.
