Gottwald

Gottwald is a surname of German origin, derived from the Old High German word "gottwalt," which means "God's will." It is a relatively common surname in Germany and has been adopted by various cultures and communities around the world. Notable individuals with the surname Gottwald include:

1. Kurt Gottwald, a German politician who served as the first President of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) from 1949 to 1960. He was also the leader of the Socialist Unity Party of Germany (SED) during this period.

2. Walter Gottwald, a German politician and lawyer who served as the President of the German Democratic Republic from 1960 to 1973. He was the son of Kurt Gottwald and succeeded him as the leader of the SED.

The Gottwald family played a significant role in the history of East Germany, with Kurt and Walter Gottwald serving as the country's leaders during the Cold War era. Their political careers were marked by the country's alignment with the Soviet Union and its eventual reunification with West Germany in 1990. The Gottwalds' legacy continues to be a subject of historical and political debate in Germany and beyond.