Dag Hjalmar Agne Carl Hammarskjöld was born on July 29th, 1905, in Jönköping, Sweden. He came from a family with a tradition of service in public administration and foreign affairs. After completing his secondary education, he studied economics and political science at Uppsala University in Sweden. In 1930, he received his Ph.D. in economics and became a lecturer at Stockholm University.

Hammarskjöld began his diplomatic career as a junior Swedish delegate to the League of Nations in Geneva in 1930. During World War II, he was a member of Sweden’s delegation to London and served in the Intelligence Department of the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs. After the war, he joined the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and held various diplomatic posts in Sweden and abroad.

Hammarskjöld became the Under-Secretary-General for the UN’s Department of Economic Affairs and led the UN’s economic planning and development initiatives. He was responsible for designing and implementing the Marshall Plan, which aimed to rebuild Europe after the war. In 1953, Hammarskjöld was elected as the UN Secretary-General, succeeding Trygve Lie.

Dag Hammarskjöld was a prominent diplomat and civil servant, but he was not a billionaire. According to his financial disclosures, Hammarskjöld’s net worth was $21,000 at the time of his death in 1961. His modest wealth came from his family estate in Sweden and his accumulated savings from his career as a public servant.

Although Hammarskjöld was not a wealthy man, his contributions to human rights and world peace earned him great respect and admiration from people around the world. Upon his death, he was posthumously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961 for his “outstanding contribution to world peace.”

Dag Hammarskjöld came from a family of civil servants and diplomats. His father, Hjalmar Hammarskjöld, was the Prime Minister of Sweden from 1914 to 1917. His brother, Bo Hammarskjöld, was a prominent economist and a professor at the Stockholm School of Economics.

Dag Hammarskjöld’s family instilled in him a sense of duty and service to his country and the world. He dedicated his career to the pursuit of peace and human rights, and his legacy continues to inspire generations of diplomats and civil servants around the world.

Dag Hammarskjöld was known for his quiet demeanor and his private life. He never married and had no children. He was a deeply spiritual man who often expressed his thoughts and feelings through poetry and private writings. His book, “Markings,” which was published after his death, contains his reflections on his personal and spiritual journey.

Despite his busy career as a diplomat and civil servant, Hammarskjöld found time to pursue his passions. He enjoyed hiking, skiing, and classical music. He was also an art collector and had a collection of primitive art from around the world.

Dag Hammarskjöld was a tireless advocate for peace and human rights. During his tenure as Secretary-General, he oversaw numerous peacekeeping missions in Africa and the Middle East. He was instrumental in brokering the 1955 agreement that ended the first Arab-Israeli war.

Hammarskjöld also championed the cause of decolonization, and he was an outspoken critic of apartheid in South Africa. He believed that economic development was the key to achieving peace and was responsible for initiating several development initiatives in Africa.

Hammarskjöld’s commitment to peace and justice is evident in his personal writings, which reveal his deep concern for the welfare of humanity and his belief in the moral values of the UN.

1. What was Dag Hammarskjöld’s net worth?

Dag Hammarskjöld’s net worth at the time of his death was $21,000.

2. Did Dag Hammarskjöld have any children?

No, Dag Hammarskjöld never married and had no children.

3. What is Hammarskjöld’s legacy?

Dag Hammarskjöld is remembered for his contributions to world peace and human rights. He was posthumously awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1961.

4. What were Hammarskjöld’s hobbies?

Dag Hammarskjöld enjoyed hiking, skiing, classical music, and collecting primitive art.

5. What did Hammarskjöld believe in?

Dag Hammarskjöld believed in the moral values of the UN and the pursuit of peace and justice for all.

6. What initiatives did Hammarskjöld undertake during his tenure as Secretary-General?

Hammarskjöld oversaw several peacekeeping missions in Africa and the Middle East and initiated several development initiatives in Africa.

7. What was Hammarskjöld’s stance on apartheid in South Africa?

Hammarskjöld was an outspoken critic of apartheid in South Africa and believed in the importance of decolonization.

Dag Hammarskjöld was one of the foremost diplomats and public servants of his time. Although he was not a billionaire, his modest wealth did not diminish his contributions to world peace and human rights. His personal writings reveal a deeply spiritual man who was committed to the values of the UN and the welfare of humanity. His legacy continues to inspire generations of diplomats and civil servants around the world.

If you are interested in learning more about the life and work of Dag Hammarskjöld, we recommend reading his book, “Markings,” which provides unique insights into his personal and spiritual journey. In his own words, Hammarskjöld reminds us that “the pursuit of peace and justice is an endless journey, and we must never tire of it.”