Former First Lady Bernadette Chirac died at the age of 93. A figure in French public life, wife of Jacques Chirac, former elected representative of Corrèze and president of several foundations, Bernadette Chirac left a lasting mark on Nice through her commitment in the fields of health and solidarity.
Bernadette Chirac died at the age of 93. Long associated with Jacques Chirac’s political career, the former First Lady had also built her own public commitment. A local elected representative in Corrèze for several decades, president of the Foundation Paris Hospitals-Hospitals of France and then of the Claude Pompidou Foundation, she had devoted much of her work to hospitalized people, children and those in vulnerable situations.
A graduate of the Institute of Political Studies in Paris and holder of a master’s degree in archaeology, Bernadette Chirac entered politics in 1971 as a municipal councillor in Sarran, in Corrèze. In 1979, her election to the Corrèze general council made her the first woman to sit in this departmental assembly.
From 1994, the presidency of the Foundation Paris Hospitals-Hospitals of France allowed her to lead the Yellow Coins operations and + de Vie. More than 12,400 projects were realized in France thanks to this mobilization. In 2007, Bernadette Chirac also took the helm of the Claude Pompidou Foundation.
A strong relationship with Nice
Nice held a special place in Bernadette Chirac’s career. On March 10, 2014, an official inauguration marked the opening of the Claude Pompidou Institute, a center dedicated to the reception, care, teaching and research around Alzheimer’s disease.
The City of Nice had also honored Bernadette Chirac by presenting her with the Medal of Honorary Citizen at a ceremony bringing together elected officials and residents.
On June 19, 2024, a few months before her passing, a new tribute was paid with the inauguration of the Bernadette Chirac space, at 10 rue Molière, in the presence of her daughter Claude Chirac. Located facing the Claude Pompidou Institute, this space was created to honor twenty-five years of commitment in service of people affected by illness or loss of independence.
During this ceremony, Christian Estrosi declared: « facing the Claude Pompidou Institute, this is obviously the place that seemed most appropriate to us. » The mayor of Nice also highlighted Bernadette Chirac’s human qualities: « she knew how to listen and especially how to hear what was being said to her. »
Claude Chirac then transmitted a message of thanks: « on behalf of Bernadette and on behalf of Jacques, I want to thank you. »
Following the announcement of her death, several Riviera political leaders paid tribute to the former First Lady.
Éric Ciotti stated: « Bernadette Chirac loved the French. France is mourning a generous First Lady, emblematic figure of the Yellow Coins operation and president of the Claude Pompidou foundation. Nice witnessed her commitment through the Claude Pompidou Institute against Alzheimer’s disease. I am thinking of her daughter Claude and her family. »
Charles Ange Ginésy praised « a woman of commitment and conviction » and recalled « her attachment to our territory, particularly through her support for the Claude Pompidou Institute in Nice. »
Renaud Muselier also reacted: « Madam President, Mrs. Chirac, has left us. She has joined her husband whom she loved so much. I will remember this exceptional woman, her humanity. She knew France and loved the French. To Claude, to the entire Chirac family, my heartfelt thoughts. »
