Bernadette Chirac Passed Away: A Life Dedicated to Family and Public Welfare

Paris – 06.06.2026: Bernadette Chirac, widow of former French President Jacques Chirac, passed away on June 5, 2026, at the age of 93. Her daughter, Claude Chirac, confirmed the death and reported that her mother peacefully passed away surrounded by her family. Bernadette Chirac was born on May 18, 1933, in Paris and grew up in a wealthy and aristocratic family. After studying at the renowned Sciences Po in the early 1950s, she met Jacques Chirac, whom she married in 1956. Together, they accompanied his political rise over more than six decades, culminating in his election as President of the Republic in 1995. During her time as First Lady from 1995 to 2007, Bernadette Chirac significantly influenced public life in France. She was known for her strong character, sharp wit, and unwavering support for her husband. Despite her role behind the political scenes, she developed a political presence of her own, especially in the Corrèze region, where she served as a general councilor from 1979 to 2015. Her commitment to public welfare was also evident in her work with the Fondation Hôpitaux de Paris-Hôpitaux de France, which she led, and the creation of the “Opération Pièces Jaunes,” an initiative to support children’s hospitals. This charitable work was honored in 2024 when she was named an Officer of the Legion of Honor. Bernadette Chirac was not only known for her charity work but also for her distinctive personality. She was not afraid to express her opinions and often appeared confidently. In a 1979 interview with the magazine “Elle,” she sharply criticized one of her husband’s advisers, saying, “Her mistake was not being careful enough with me. You can never be too careful with women.” Despite her aristocratic background and deep Catholic beliefs, she distanced herself from stereotypical clichés and emphasized her independence. Her life was marked by personal loss, especially the death of her eldest daughter Laurence in 2016, who suffered from chronic anorexia for years. This loss left deep traces on Bernadette Chirac, yet she continued her work with undiminished energy. After her husband’s death in 2019, she increasingly withdrew from public life but remained active as president of the foundation until 2018. President Emmanuel Macron honored Bernadette Chirac as a “great lady of the heart” who “left a lasting mark on our history” and changed the lives of millions of patients through her charitable work. Her death marks the end of an era in French politics and philanthropy.