Bernadette Chirac’s Funeral to Be Held at Parisian Basilica, Tribute in Corrèze
Bernadette Chirac, the widow of former French President Jacques Chirac, will be buried following a funeral at the Parisian Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde, according to her daughter Claude Chirac, who confirmed the details to AFP. The event will take place on Friday, with a separate tribute planned for Sunday in Corrèze, the region where she served as a general councilor for decades.
Funeral Details and Attendees
The funeral will be held at the Basilica of Sainte-Clotilde, the same venue where Bernadette and Jacques Chirac married in 1956 and where their eldest daughter, Laurence, was buried in 2016. Attendees include First Lady Brigitte Macron, former President Nicolas Sarkozy, and his wife Carla, along with numerous political allies and friends, as reported by AFP.
Corrèze Tribute to Honor Legacy
A separate tribute will occur on Sunday in Corrèze, beginning with a religious ceremony at 10 a.m. in the town of Corrèze, followed by a “friendly gathering and moment of remembrance” at the Domaine de Sédières. Her daughter described the event as open to “all the people of Corrèze, so dear to her heart.”
Political Career and Public Image
Bernadette Chirac, born in 1933, was a prominent figure in French politics, often described as a “cold-eyed political operator” who built her own power base despite her husband’s reputation as a womanizer. The Catholic philosopher Jean Guitton once called her the “last queen of France,” a title she did little to dispute. Her husband, Jacques Chirac, served as president from 1995 to 2007, with Bernadette acting as a steadfast partner through his political career.
Legacy and Personal Life
Known for her Chanel suits and sharp wit, Bernadette Chirac maintained a public persona of composure and authority. She outlived her husband by 12 years, passing away at 93. Her daughter emphasized her deep ties to Corrèze, where she worked for several decades, and her enduring influence on French political circles.