(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-04-16 17:16

This file picture taken Jun. 28, 2005, shows former German Chancellor Helmut Kohl and his partner Maike Richter. [Agencies]

BERLIN -- Former German chancellor Helmut Kohl, 78, is set to marry his companion, Maike Richter, 43, Kohl's Berlin office head Ulrich Pohlmann said Tuesday.

Kohl, a widower, confirmed in April 2005 that he was living with Richter, who is an economist at the German Economics Ministryin Berlin.

Their relationship was made public four years after the death of Kohl's reclusive wife Hannelore.

Kohl, who was voted out of office in 1998, led Germany to unification in 1990.

However, Pohlmann declined to say when the wedding would take place, saying this was private.

He said Kohl was currently in a physiotherapy clinic, recovering from the effects of a fall in his home in Ludwigshafen, western Germany.

Local newspaper Bild reported Tuesday that Kohl had informed his family and close friends about his intention to remarry.