Nicolas Sarkozy pays tribute to Bernadette Chirac, who died at 93.

Bernadette Chirac passed away on June 5th at the age of 93. Her daughter Claude announced the news this Saturday, prompting a wave of tributes from across the French political spectrum. The widow of former President Jacques Chirac, she was the only First Lady to have held political office under her own name, that of a municipal councilor. Her commitment and discretion marked several decades of public life.

A personal and political tribute

Nicolas Sarkozy, a special guest on Europe 1 and CNEWS this Friday, June 12, paid a moving tribute to the woman he considered much more than a political ally. The former president confided that he had lost a close friend who had supported him throughout his career, both personally and politically. He praised her strength of character and her devotion to France, emphasizing that she never complained despite the hardships she faced.

In his address broadcast on CNEWS and Europe 1, Nicolas Sarkozy spoke of a deep bond with Bernadette Chirac, even going so far as to claim they were related by blood. He emphasized that France had lost a great lady who had brought honor to the country. Other political figures, such as François Hollande and David Douillet, also paid tribute to this committed woman who left her mark on French public life through her presence and actions.