Bernadette Chirac, formidable former first lady of France, dies aged 93
Summary
Bernadette Chirac, who was France’s first lady for 12 years and the wife of former President Jacques Chirac, has died at 93. She was influential in supporting her husband's political career and later served as a local politician herself.Key Facts
- Bernadette Chirac was the wife of Jacques Chirac, who was president of France and also served as prime minister and mayor of Paris.
- She was France’s first lady from 1995 to 2007.
- After her husband retired from politics in 2007, she became a councillor in their local area in Corrèze, France.
- Bernadette came from a wealthy Catholic family and met Jacques Chirac in university. They married in 1956.
- She tolerated her husband’s public infidelities and stayed married for 63 years until his death in 2019.
- Bernadette was known for her strong personality, fashion sense, and sometimes sharp humor.
- Their daughter Laurence suffered from serious health problems and died in 2016; their other daughter Claude worked as Jacques Chirac’s adviser.
- Bernadette made her last public appearance in 2022 and died in 2023 at age 93.
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