Janez Drnovsek: Slovenian President and Longtime Prime Minister Dies at

Janez Drnovsek was a Slovenian politician who served as prime minister and president. Born on May 17, 1950, in Celje, then part of Yugoslavia, he trained as an economist.

He chaired the collective presidency of Yugoslavia in 1989-1990 and became prime minister of independent Slovenia in 1992. He held the post, with a short break in 2000, until 2002, then served as president until 2007. He helped steer Slovenia into the European Union and NATO in 2004.

Drnovsek was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 1999 and later became a vegan and a recluse. He died at his home in Zaplana on February 23, 2008, at age 57. Some called him Slovenia's Gandhi.

Achievements: Prime Minister of Slovenia (1992-2002), President of Slovenia (2002-2007).

Birth: May 17, 1950 - Celje, Slovenia.

Profession: Politician.

Interesting Facts: He had a daughter, the composer Nana Forte, whom he met in 2005.