Loki Schmidt dies at 91

For most of us our view or appreciation of politicians is garnered from what we read and see on television about them. We never really know much about them, who they are and what they think. We are all fed PR and spin.

Probably it is analogous to that horrible modern 'role model' expression that every celebrity is expected to have.

While we might find the role model idea as a load of bunkum, most of us probably deep down have our heroes.

In today's Irish Times there is a photo of Helmut Schmidt at the funeral service of his wife Loki. The pain and sadness expressed in his face must be a real and true depiction of the loss he has experienced.

As an ordinary punter, an outsider looking at the world of politics, it was clear that the tough German chancellor, the man who had no time for nonsense had an extraordinary relationship with 'Loki'. They were an inseparable pair and that bond is so well captured in the picture. That can't be PR, spin, whatever.

Helmut Schmidt must have loved Loki, who died on October 21 at 91 years of age.

They had been married for 68 years. They married in 1942. The groom, an officer in the Wehrmacht had returned from the Russian front.

In their home in Hamburg there is a photograph of a children's party from 1929. Loki had won a cherry eating competition against five boys. It was the beginning of a wonderful friendship that turned into a great love story.