Born on 5 March 1949 in Erbach; married, 3 children
 
Since November 2005
Federal Minister of Defence
 
Since 2003
Chairman of CDU parliamentary group in the State Assembly of Hesse
 
1999 - 2000
Hessian Minister for Federal and European Affairs and Head of the State Chancellery of Hesse
 
Since 1998
Vice-Chairman of CDU Hesse and Member of the CDU Federal Party Executive
 
1987 - 1999
Parliamentary Secretary of the CDU parliamentary group in the State Assembly
 
1987 - 1991
General Secretary of CDU Hesse
 
1972 - 1987
Member of the District Assembly of Rheingau-Taunus
 
1978
Qualified as Doctor of Law (Dr. jur.)
 
1974 - 1976
In-service training in the regional court in Wiesbaden
 
1973 - 1983
Member of the Federal Executive for the CDU/CSU youth organisation, Junge Union Deutschland
 
1970 - 1974
Studied Law at Mainz University
 
1968 - 1969
Military service
 
1968
Abitur (German equivalent to A-Levels) in Geisenheim