His father founded the CDU in the Soviet occupation zone, but left in 1945.

Beginning in 1953, he was trade negotiator for the Foreign Office, and Head of the Department of Foreign Trade and Development, and European economic integration.

He was Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Washington, from 1979 to 1984.

He was Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Vatican, from August 1984 to 1987.

He is an honorary member of the German Archaeological Institute.