The Guardian

Bernadette Chirac, formidable former first lady of France, dies aged 93


Widow of French ex-president Jacques Chirac was a steely behind-the-scenes operator known for her charity work

Bernadette Chirac, the formidable widow of the former French president Jacques Chirac and a driving force behind his political rise, has died at the age of 93.

As France’s first lady for 12 years, Chirac was a steely behind-the-scenes operator in support of her husband, who served twice as prime minister, 18 years as mayor of Paris and two terms as president.

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Source link : https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/06/bernadette-chirac-former-first-lady-france-dies

Author : Kim Willsher in Paris

Publish date : 2026-06-06 21:55:00

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