In Their Own Words, Angela Merkel

Tuesday, Dec. 28, at 8 PM

Repeats Wednesday, Dec. 29, at 1 AM

Airs on Fusion on Saturday, Jan. 1, at 3 PM

IN THEIR OWN WORDS profiles Angela Merkel, who will step down this year after 16 years as Germany’s chancellor. One of the world’s most respected leaders, Merkel took on the male establishment to become Germany’s first female chancellor. With a sharp and savvy mind, she overcame fierce opposition, a vicious press and rampant sexism to lead Germany and Europe with a steady focus on peace and freedom. Featuring interviews with Hillary Clinton, George W. Bush and many others.

One of the world’s most enigmatic leaders, Angela Merkel’s life story reveals the woman behind the veil. Born in 1954 in Hamburg, West Germany, her father, a Lutheran pastor, was asked to serve in East Germany, and the family moved there when Merkel was an infant. A surveillance state under Soviet control, East Germany was ruled by the notorious Stasi, secret police who encouraged neighbor to inform upon neighbor. Merkel learned from her mother at an early age not to speak about her family in public, a lesson which stayed with her for the rest of her life.