In 1966, he officially banned all contraception and abortion on demand in Romania, and made divorce increasingly difficult to obtain (it was permitted only under "exceptional cases"). Abortion was permitted only if the woman was over 42 or was the mother of at least four (later five) children. Because of this, the population rose sharply, child abandonment became commonplace and a considerable number of women either died or were maimed from clandestine abortions. In the 1980's AIDS rose into epidemic proportions in Romania, mostly because Ceausescu's regime refused to admit that AIDS existed, and forbade any HIV testing for it.
Nicolae Ceaușescu was a Romanian politician who served as the last Communist leader of Romania from 1965 to 1989. He was also the country’s head of state from 1967 to 1989. Ceaușescu was born on January 26, 1918, in Scornicești, Olt County, Romania. His parents were peasants who had 12 children. Ceaușescu only received a few years of formal education before he was forced to drop out to help support his family. He began his career as a member of the Romanian Communist Party in 1939. He rose through the ranks of the party and became a member of the Romanian Parliament in 1957. Ceaușescu became Romania’s head of state in 1967 and its Communist leader in 1965. He remained in power until he was overthrown and executed in 1989 during the Romanian Revolution.
Ceaușescu was a controversial figure during his time in power. He implemented a number of policies that led to economic growth and improved living standards for the people of Romania. However, his regime was also marked by human rights abuses, censorship, and a cult of personality. Ceaușescu amassed a large personal fortune during his time in power. His net worth was estimated to be $1 billion at the time of his death.
Ceaușescu married Elena Petrescu in 1947. The couple had four children together. Ceaușescu was executed by firing squad on December 25, 1989, along with his wife and several other members of his family.
General Info
Full Name
Nicolae Ceaușescu
Died
December 25, 1989, Târgoviște, Romania
Profession
Politician, Writer
Nationality
Romanian
Family
Spouse
Elena Ceaușescu
Children
Nicu Ceau?escu, Valentin Ceau?escu, Zoia Ceau?escu
Parents
Alexandrina Ceau?escu, Andru?a Ceau?escu
Siblings
Ilie Ceau?escu, Marin Ceau?escu, Nicolae Andru?a Ceau?escu, Maria Agachi, Elena Barbulescu, Florea Ceau?escu, Ion Ceau?escu, Niculina Rusescu
Accomplishments
Awards
Order of Lenin, Olympic Order, Order of Karl Marx, Order of the October Revolution, Order of José Martí, Order of the Liberator General San Martín, Order of the Southern Cross, Grand Cross Special Class of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, Decoration of Honour for Services to...
After his daughter Zoia, a mathematics student, ran away from home trying to flee from her parents, Ceausescu closed the Bucharest Mathematical Institute.
3
In 1966, he officially banned all contraception and abortion on demand in Romania, and made divorce increasingly difficult to obtain (it was permitted only under "exceptional cases"). Abortion was permitted only if the woman was over 42 or was the mother of at least four (later five) children. Because of this, the population rose sharply, child abandonment became commonplace and a considerable number of women either died or were maimed from clandestine abortions. In the 1980's AIDS rose into epidemic proportions in Romania, mostly because Ceausescu's regime refused to admit that AIDS existed, and forbade any HIV testing for it.
4
His trial was shown on Austrian and Romanian television. His and his wife's wrists were bound by string, and soon after, there was a tape showing the corpse of Ceausescu (but not his execution). According to The King of Communism: The Pomp & Pageantry of Nicolae Ceausescu (2002), people who watched it on television applauded.
5
President of Romania 1972-1989.
6
He and his wife were captured by the army after an ill-fated attempt to flee Romania (their helicopter pilot abandoned them on a country road at gunpoint), tried for crimes against the state, found guilty and executed by an army officer with a submachine gun. When they were offered legal defense, they refused, insisting that they were exempt from the authority of a military court.
7
His execution was announced by a newscaster on (recently liberated) Romanian television with the following words: "We have wonderful news for you this Christmas day! The Anti-Christ is dead!"
8
Dictator of Romania (1965-1989).
Movies
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Ost und West
1969
TV Series documentary
Himself
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Given Our Chance
2013
Documentary completed
Himself
HyperNormalisation
2016
Documentary
Himself - Romania Leader
Împãrãteasa rosie. Viata si aventurile Anei Pauker
2016
Documentary
Witness
2016
TV Series documentary
Himself
Trading Germans
2014
Documentary
Himself
Teurer Freikauf - Das Geschäft mit den Rumäniendeutschen
2013
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The '80s: The Decade That Made Us
2013
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Afacerea Tãnase
2013
Documentary
Himself
The Diamond Queen
2012
TV Series documentary
Himself
Die letzten Tage der Ceausescus
2011
Documentary
Himself (uncredited)
The Autobiography of Nicolae Ceausescu
2010
Documentary
Himself
50 años de
2009
TV Series
Himself
The Lost World of Communism
2009
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
La imagen de tu vida
2006
TV Series
Himself
80s
2005
TV Series documentary
Himself
The King of Communism: The Pomp & Pageantry of Nicolae Ceausescu
2002
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Family Secret
2001
Documentary
Himself (uncredited)
Biography
2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
Nordrand
1999
Himself (uncredited)
Cold War
1998
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
Wide World of Sports 35th Anniversary Special
1996
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The Many Faces of Death, Part 5
1995
Video documentary
Himself
Underground
1995
Himself (at funeral of Tito) (uncredited)
Executions II
1995
Video documentary
Himself - Romanian Dictator (uncredited)
Death Scenes 3
1993
Video documentary
Himself
The Last Day
1993
TV Movie
Himself
Kamera und Wirklichkeit
1992
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Videogramme einer Revolution
1992
Documentary
Himself
ABC's Wide World of Sports 30th Anniversary Special
