Wilfried Martens

Wilfried Achiel Emma Martens (; 19 April 1936 – 9 October 2013) was a Belgian politician who served as prime minister of Belgium from 1979 to 1992, except from April to December 1981. A member of the Flemish Christian People's Party, during his premiership he oversaw the transformation of Belgium into a federal state. He was one of the founders of the European People's Party.

During his time as prime minister, Martens led a series of centre-right and centre-left cabinets.

Early life Martens was born on 19 April 1936 in the village of Sleidinge, East Flanders, the son of modest small farmers. at his home in Lokeren; he was 77. Elio Di Rupo, the Belgian prime minister, described him as a "true statesman and one of the fathers of federal Belgium".

Honours Minister of State, by Royal Decree. Grand officer in the Order of Leopold Grand Cross in the Order of Leopold II Grand Cross in the Order of the Crown

Foreign honours Grand Decoration of Honour in Gold, Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (30 May 1985) Knight Grand Cross in the National Order of Merit (28 February 1983) Grand Officer in the Legion of Honour. Grand Cross of the Grand Order of Queen Jelena (22 December 2006) Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (7 February 1984) Knight Grand Cross in the Order of the Phoenix Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Falcon (16 October 1979) Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (20 February 1986) "Banda" of the Order of the Aztec Eagle (14 June 1985) Grand Cross of the Order of Christ (10 December 1982) Grand Cross in the Order of Prince Henry (31 October 1987) Knight Grand Cross in the Order of Orange-Nassau.