Bernadette Chirac, the wife of former French President Jacques Chirac, holds the distinction of being the only French first lady to hold political office. Her involvement spanned a significant period, notably serving as a member of the General Council of the Corrèze department from 1979 until 2015. Throughout their sixty-year marriage, she accompanied Jacques Chirac throughout the entirety of his political career.
Jacques Chirac himself held the office of President of France from 1995 to 2007, and he passed away in 2019 at the age of 86. Bernadette Chodron de Courcel was born in Paris in 1933. She was raised within a diplomatic family, residing in the affluent 16th arrondissement of the capital.
Her relationship with J. Chirac began while both were students at the esteemed Paris Institute of Political Science, leading to their marriage in 1956. Her continued political engagement established her unique position among the wives of French political figures.
Topics: #chirac #bernadette #first
It is sad to hear of her passing; she certainly had a long history of involvement in public life.
What were the key areas of her political involvement during her time serving on the General Council?