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
TL;DR
- Bernadette Chirac, widow of former French President Jacques Chirac, has died at 93.
- She was a key political figure behind her husband's rise and served as France's first lady for 12 years.
- After her husband retired, she became a politician in her own right.
- She endured her husband's infidelities with resilience and humor, citing her Catholic upbringing and love for him as reasons for staying married.
- Chirac became the figurehead for the 'pièces jaunes' charity collection, raising millions for children in hospitals.
- Her elder daughter's illness deeply affected her and inspired her charitable work.
- French President Emmanuel Macron paid tribute to her as a woman who marked French history and changed millions of lives through charity.