Bernadette Chirac, former French First Lady and widow of President Jacques Chirac, died Friday evening at the age of 93, President Emmanuel Macron confirmed on Saturday. She had celebrated her 93rd birthday on May 18. Macron stated that he and his wife learned of her passing "with great sadness," adding, "A great lady of the heart has departed." Macron noted that she "marked our history alongside President Jacques Chirac," in addition to her significant role in Corrèze, where she served as a general councilor from 1979 to 2015. This long tenure as an elected official in the rural region showed her independent political career. She spent 12 years at the Élysée Palace from 1995 to 2007, during her husband's two terms as president.
A Political Force in Her Own Right
Bernadette Chirac holds the distinction of being the only First Lady of the Fifth Republic to have held an elected office in her own right. Her political career began in 1971 when she was elected municipal councilor in Sarran, a position she held for many years. Throughout her husband's extensive political career, including his presidency, she was consistently by his side, yet she simultaneously carved out her own distinct political path. She built her own political power in rural Corrèze, a region deeply associated with Jacques Chirac's political base. Born Bernadette Thérèse Marie Chodron de Courcel on May 18, 1933, in Paris, she met Jacques Chirac at the Sciences Po university in the capital. Their romance blossomed during their time as students. The couple married in March 1956, and their union lasted for 63 years until Jacques Chirac's death.
Philanthropy and Public Life
Beyond her political endeavors, Bernadette Chirac was widely recognized for her extensive philanthropic work. She transformed a children's hospital charity into a national institution after taking over its leadership in 1994. Under her direction, the medical charity grew significantly, providing key support for pediatric causes across France. She ran the charity with dedication and commitment until 2019, at which point she handed the reins to Brigitte Macron, the current First Lady, and assumed the honorary role of honorary president. Her memoir, titled "Conversation," was published in 2001, offering insights into her life and experiences. This publication provided a rare glimpse into the private world of a prominent public figure.
Reports indicated a personal tragedy for Bernadette Chirac when her elder daughter, Laurence, died in 2016 at the age of 58. Laurence Chirac reportedly developed severe anorexia following a battle with meningitis during her adolescence. This profound loss was a deeply personal challenge for the family.
Tributes and Legacy
French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to Bernadette Chirac, stating, "My wife and I learned with great sadness of the passing of Bernadette Chirac." Macron also affirmed her significant impact, noting that she "marked our history alongside President Jacques Chirac," in addition to her role in the rural Corrèze region where she built her own political power as an elected official. He added that she influenced "the destiny of millions of anonymous patients too, thanks to her intimate and constant commitment" to charitable causes. Her work with the children's hospital charity is often cited as a testament to her compassionate nature and organizational prowess.
President Macron reflected on her philanthropic work, saying, "Bernadette Chirac changed so many lives with discretion and obstinacy. A great lady of the heart has departed. The Nation shares the sorrow of her family, her loved ones, and all who loved her." Her unwavering dedication to public service and her personal resilience left an indelible mark on French society. Jacques Chirac, her husband and former president, died in 2019, four years before her passing, bringing an end to one of France's most prominent political couples.
