Former culture and foreign minister Rihards Pīks has died

Rihards Pīks — a cinematographer, film director, politician and diplomat — passed away on September 7, 2026. The news was made public by his wife, Sarmīte Pīka.

In her announcement, she described her husband as a man with an extraordinarily rich and varied career. He worked as a cinematographer and film director, served as the first elected director of a film studio's collective, and later held the posts of culture minister and foreign minister. Pīks also served as a member of the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, and later as a member of the European Parliament. Within his family, he was remembered as a husband, father and grandfather.

Bidding farewell to her husband, Sarmīte Pīka wished him a light and peaceful rest.

Rihards Pīks was born on December 31, 1941. The time of his funeral has not yet been announced; his wife has said she will share those details later.

News of his passing has drawn expressions of condolence from his family, relatives, friends and colleagues.