1963: Following the so-called “Spiegel affair” scandal, on 15 October, 87-year-old Konrad Adenauer resigns as Bundeskanzler. On the next day he is succeeded by Ludwig Erhard (CDU).

What age did Adenauer leave office?

Adenauer, who resigned as Chancellor at the age of 87 and remained head of the governing CDU until his retirement at 90, was often dubbed "Der Alte" ("the old one").

Why did Adenauer retire?

In 1963, after achieving his long-sought treaty of cooperation with France and its leader, Charles de Gaulle, Adenauer accordingly resigned and was succeeded by Erhard. Adenauer remained chairman of the CDU until March 1966.