Former Romanian president Ion Iliescu dies at age of 95

ISTANBUL

Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu died on Tuesday at the age of 95 after being hospitalized for two months due to lung cancer.

"With deep regret, the Government announces the passing of the former President of Romania, Mr. Ion Iliescu. The former Head of the Romanian State passed away today, August 5, 2025, at the 'Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu' Emergency Clinical Hospital," the Romanian government announced in a statement.

Iliescu had been hospitalized for two months due to lung cancer, according to local media.

Iliescu became Romania's first post-revolutionary president after Nicolae Ceausescu, the country's communist leader, was deposed and killed in a revolution in 1989.

He was elected president in 1990 and served two terms, until 1996.

Iliescu then served a third term from 2000 to 2004.