Bernadette Chirac, France’s formidable former first lady, dies aged 93
AI Summary
Bernadette Chirac, widow of former French president Jacques Chirac and an accomplished political figure in her own right, died on June 6, 2026, at age 93. Initially known for supporting her husband's political career, she became a prominent politician and philanthropist in Corrèze, serving multiple terms on the General Council and founding the Pièces jaunes charity operation. Her legacy reflects a transformation from a woman often derided for her classical style to a respected political and humanitarian figure.
Bernadette Chirac, the formidable former first lady of France who spent 12 years at the Élysée Palace beside President Jacques Chirac while forging her own political identity and transforming a children’s hospital charity into a national institution, has died aged 93. ...