Imants Vīķis, the husband of ‍former Latvian⁤ President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, passed away‌ on January 1, 2026. The news was announced by Vīķe-Freiberga ​via her official ⁤Twitter account @VairaVF.

Vīķe-Freiberga stated, “my dear Imant passed away this morning in the peace of the white God. In deep mourning, I prayed for an easy path for his soul.” She ⁣also‌ noted he is survived by ⁤his daughter Indra,grandson Ivars,son Kārļis with his wife​ Linda,and grandchildren Alice,Austra,and Ritum.

Background on Imants Vīķis and Vaira ‍Vīķe-Freiberga

Vaira Vīķe-freiberga served as the fifth President‌ of Latvia from 1999 to 2003. She was the first woman to hold the ‍office and is widely recognized for her role in ​guiding Latvia through its integration into European structures, including NATO and the European Union. The Office of the President‌ of Latvia provides a detailed ⁢biography of Vīķe-Freiberga.

Imants Vīķis, a Latvian-Australian academic and musician, married Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga in 1960.He was a professor of chemistry at the University of Latvia and a noted ​choral conductor. He often accompanied his wife on state‌ visits and played a supportive role during her presidency.

Family Details

As stated by Vīķe-Freiberga, Imants Vīķis is survived by:

• Daughter: Indra
• Grandson: Ivars
• Son: Kārļis
• Daughter-in-law: Linda
• Granddaughters: Alice, Austra, and Ritum

Reactions and Tributes

Following the‍ proclamation, tributes ⁤began to pour in⁤ from Latvian politicians⁤ and public figures. ‌ Further details on official mourning arrangements and memorial services are‍ expected ⁣to be released by the Office of the President in the coming days.