It’s been 12 years since former Maltese president and deputy prime minister Guido de Marco passed away at the age of 79.

De Marco was born in Valletta and educated at the University of Malta where he achieved a bachelor's degree in Philosophy, Economics and Italian before graduating with a Doctor of Laws a few years later.

Prior to the commencement of his political career, he was mostly known for being a great criminal lawyer who worked on many high-profile cases here in Malta.

He eventually married Violet after they met as students and together, they had three children: Giannella, Fiorella, and Mario.

De Marco was a beloved public figure, and his strong and persuasive diplomatic efforts are remembered by many.

For starters, during the first few years of his political career, he was elected as a representative at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. He ended up remaining a member of the assembly for a little under 20 years.

In fact, de Marco was amongst the first Maltese political figures who worked tirelessly for Malta to join the European Union (EU). He submitted the country’s application join twice, once in 1990 and another time in 1998.

If it wasn’t for de Marco and his constant efforts, chances are that Malta would not be part of the EU today – let alone have a Maltese woman preside over the European Parliament!

His diplomatic efforts, however, did not stop there.

In 1990, whilst serving as Malta’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, de Marco was elected president of the 45th session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly. During this UN session he started the dialogue of reformation within the UN. This also led to his visits of refugee camps in Jordan, Ethiopia and Albania, amongst other places.

Before being elected Minister of Foreign Affairs, de Marco served as Minister of the Interior and Justice. In this capacity, he brought to Malta the many laws of the European Convention of Rights. He also worked tirelessly to bring the Maltese Police Force on par with the other forces in Europe as he introduced the Police Academy to Malta. 

De Marco was also elected as the Chairman of the Commonwealth Foundation in 2004.

He was appointed President of Malta in 1999 and was even nicknamed ‘The People’s President’.

Exactly 12 years ago today, de Marco was interviewed by the ‘Times of Malta’ after being discharged from a complicated heart surgery. He expressed how, "when [he] came round from the coma [he] no longer felt [he] was going to die.”

“I felt I was going to remain. I'm here to stay ... for now at least,” he had said.

Unfortunately, straight after that interview he took a turn for the worst and was immediately rushed to hospital, where he died soon after.

Facebook/Clyde Puli & Facebook/Guido de Marco