Helmut Schmidt reveals past marriage crisis caused by affair

Former German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt revealed late in his life that his long-term marriage to Loki Schmidt faced a severe crisis due to an extramarital affair. In his 2015 book, “Was ich noch sagen wollte,” Schmidt admitted to having a relationship with another woman during the late 1960s or early 1970s.

Upon discovering the affair, Loki Schmidt offered to separate from her husband. Schmidt stated he was stunned by the offer and refused to end the marriage, asserting, “I cannot separate from you.” Although the identity of the other woman was never officially confirmed, reports suggested she was a member of the SPD. Schmidt expressed deep guilt regarding the situation, noting that the memory of the crisis still caused him pain.