Born on February 10, 1963, in Husum, Schleswig-Holstein; married, with three daughters

Since May 7, 2025 – Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs
2018 to 2025 – Deputy Chair of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag responsible for foreign affairs, defense, the Interparliamentary Conference on the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), and the Council of Europe

Since 2009 – Member of the German Bundestag

2010–2021 – Member of the Federal Executive Committee of the CDU of Germany
2005–2009 – Chairman of the CDU State Parliamentary Group in Schleswig-Holstein
2000–2009 – Member of the State Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein

Since 2009 – Certified Specialist in Medical and Social Law

1996 – Doctor of Law (Dr. jur.)

Since 1995 – Attorney

1995 – Second State Examination
in Law 1991 – First State Examination
in Law 1986–1991 – Studied law at Christian-Albrechts-University in Kiel

1982–1986 – Enlisted soldier in the German Armed Forces (Lieutenant Colonel in the Reserve since July 2023)
1981 – High school diploma / General University Entrance Qualification