A discreet yet indispensable figure in the Fifth Republic, Bernadette Chirac traversed half a century of French political life in the shadow of the spotlight. Bernadette Chirac, born Bernadette Thérèse Marie Chodron de Courcel on May 18, 1933, in Paris, passed away on June 6, 2026, at the age of 93. An announcement was made by her daughter Claude to AFP. Wife of former president Jacques Chirac, her political and charitable engagement established her as a familiar presence in France’s public landscape, never seeking the limelight.
Bernadette Chirac began her public life at the local level in Corrèze: elected general councillor in 1979, she held the seat through successive renewals until 2011. She also carried out municipal responsibilities in Sarran, a village close to the Chiracs. During her husband’s presidency (1995‑2007), she led social initiatives, notably through the Fondation Hôpitaux de Paris‑Hôpitaux de France, which she has chaired since 1994, and as the initiator of the Pièces jaunes campaign to improve the comfort of hospitalized children.
On a personal level, her path reflects a blend of discretion and influence. Coming from a bourgeois background, she met Jacques Chirac at Sciences Po, supporting him in his career while pursuing university studies (archaeology at Paris 1 University). The couple had two daughters, Laurence (born 1958, died 2016) and Claude (born 1962). After stepping back from the presidential stage, Bernadette Chirac gradually reduced her commitments: she stepped down as president of the foundation and withdrew from certain public duties from 2018–2019.
Her imprint is seen in the portrait of a "First Lady" who refused to be mere ornament: through her local mandates, her advocacy work, and her role as a liaison between the Élysée and local elected officials. The 2023 film Bernadette, in which she is portrayed by Catherine Deneuve, stands as one of the final public milestones in her collective memory.
This page may contain AI-assisted elements, more information here.
![[FRIGO] Bernadette Chirac, ex première dame, est décédée](https://cdn.sortiraparis.com/images/80/66131/1201429-bernadette-chirac-ex-premiere-dame-est-decedee.jpg)
