Prominent former Romanian leader Ion Iliescu passes away at the age of 95.
Ion Iliescu, Romania's first post-communist president, passed away on August 5, 2025, at the Agrippa Ionescu Emergency Clinical Hospital in Bucharest, following a prolonged hospitalization. He was 95 years old.
The news of Iliescu's death was announced by the Romanian Government through their official Facebook profile. His death marked the end of a significant era in the country's recent history, as marked by the post-communist transition and essential transformations in public life.
On Thursday, August 7, 2025, Iliescu's state funeral was held in Bucharest, marking the first official funeral of a Romanian head of state since the 1989 Revolution. The funeral program included a religious service led by the vicar bishop Timotei Prahoveanul at Cotroceni Palace, followed by a military honor procession. The coffin was solemnly carried by soldiers and laid to rest at the Ghencea III Military Cemetery with full state and military honors.
The funeral day was declared official mourning in Bucharest. Attendees included major Romanian political figures such as former presidents Emil Constantinescu and Traian Băsescu, prime ministers Ilie Bolojan, Marcel Ciolacu, Adrian Năstase, Nicolae Văcăroiu, Theodor Stolojan, and Viorica Dăncilă. Notably, current president Nicușor Dan and former president Klaus Iohannis were absent from the ceremony.
Ion Iliescu served as Romania's head of state on several occasions, leading the main left-wing party of those years. He held the position from 1990 to 1992, 1992 to 1996, and 2000 to 2004. During his term, documents and decisions were adopted that influenced Romania's course, including the review of the Constitution in 2003, which laid the foundations for important political changes.
Recent discussion in Romania’s political history highlights Iliescu's controversial legacy. While he was credited for preserving Romania’s territorial integrity and navigating its Euro-Atlantic integration, his role in the 1989 Revolution and subsequent events remains heavily debated. Investigations over alleged crimes against humanity and criticism over his political methods continue to be a topic of discussion.
The funeral ceremony not only reflected a solemn state occasion but also underscored Iliescu’s complex and contested place in Romania’s modern political history. Romanian Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan described the event as a significant moment in the country's history. The Government extends its condolences to the family and loved ones of Ion Iliescu.
[1] Bucharest Daily News, "Ion Iliescu's State Funeral Held in Bucharest," August 7, 2025. [2] Romania Today, "Details of Ion Iliescu's State Funeral Announced," August 6, 2025. [3] Agerpres, "Ion Iliescu's State Funeral Held with Full Honors," August 7, 2025. [4] Romania Observer, "Ion Iliescu's Funeral: A Reflection of His Controversial Legacy," August 7, 2025. [5] Romanian Government, "Announcement of Ion Iliescu's Death," August 5, 2025.
- Amidst general news of the state funeral for Ion Iliescu, discussions in fashion circles remained unusually quiet, as people remembered the former president and his significant contributions to Romania's political history.
- In the realm of crime-and-justice, the absence of certain key figures at Iliescu's state funeral raised questions about political allegiances and the potential for renewed investigations into his controversial legacy.
