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Bernadette Chirac, France's Only Politically Active First Lady, Dies at 93
🇩🇪 Germany /Elections & Politics

Bernadette Chirac, France's Only Politically Active First Lady, Dies at 93

From Die Zeit · () German

Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Bernadette Chirac, the widow of former French President Jacques Chirac, has died at the age of 93.
  • She was the only First Lady of France to have held political office herself, serving on the Corrèze Departmental Council for over 30 years.
  • Chirac was married to Jacques Chirac for over 60 years and accompanied him throughout his political career.

Bernadette Chirac, the former First Lady of France and widow of President Jacques Chirac, has passed away at the age of 93. Her daughter announced her peaceful death on Friday evening, surrounded by family.

Chirac leaves a unique legacy as the only First Lady in French history to have held elected political office. She served as a member of the Corrèze Departmental Council from 1979 to 2015, dedicating decades to regional politics.

Her marriage to Jacques Chirac spanned over 60 years, a period during which she was a constant presence throughout his distinguished political career. Jacques Chirac served as President of France from 1995 to 2007. He passed away in 2019 at the age of 86.

Bernadette Chirac's life was deeply intertwined with the political landscape of France, both as a supportive spouse and as a politician in her own right. Her passing marks the end of an era for a prominent figure in French public life.

peacefully died in the circle of her relatives

— Daughter of Bernadette ChiracAnnouncing the death of Bernadette Chirac.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Die Zeit in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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