Bernadette Chirac: A Life in the Service of Society

Paris – 06/08/2026: Bernadette Chirac, the widow of former French President Jacques Chirac, passed away on June 5, 2026, at the age of 93. Born Bernadette Chodron de Courcel on May 18, 1933, in Paris, she grew up in a wealthy and noble family. After her studies at Sciences Po, she met Jacques Chirac, whom she married in 1956. Together, they accompanied his political career, which led them to the Élysée Palace.

During her time as First Lady from 1995 to 2007, Bernadette Chirac was particularly committed to the “Opération Pièces Jaunes,” an initiative supporting children’s hospitals. Her tireless efforts significantly contributed to improving conditions for young patients. For this commitment, she was appointed Officer of the Legion of Honor in 2024.

Besides her role as wife and mother, Bernadette Chirac was also politically active. In 1971, she was elected to the municipal council of Sarran in the Corrèze and remained in office until 2015. Thus, she was one of the few First Ladies to hold her own political mandate. Her daughter Laurence, who passed away in 2016 due to the effects of a long-term anorexia illness, was another driving force behind her engagement in healthcare.

After her husband’s death in September 2019, Bernadette Chirac largely withdrew from public life. Her last public appearance was in 2018. Nevertheless, she remained president of the Fondation Hôpitaux de Paris-Hôpitaux de France until 2019 and continued to advocate for improvements in healthcare in France.

French politics and society reacted with great sadness to her death. President Emmanuel Macron honored her as “a great lady of the heart” and announced a public memorial in Paris. Numerous politicians and public figures, including Marine Le Pen and Brigitte Macron, recalled her strength, humor, and tireless commitment to society.

Bernadette Chirac leaves behind a lasting legacy in French society. Her commitment to the “Opération Pièces Jaunes” and her political activity in Corrèze have made a lasting impression. Her daughter Laurence, who died in 2016 due to a long-term anorexia illness, was another driving force behind her healthcare engagement.

In Sarran, the Chirac family’s hometown, a condolence book was set up in which citizens can express their sympathy. This sign of solidarity reflects the appreciation Bernadette Chirac enjoyed in the region and throughout the country.

Bernadette Chirac will be remembered as a woman who supported her family, stood up for the most vulnerable in society, and had a lasting impact on French politics and society.