This unpublished series in four episodes of the magazine “1:15 p.m. on Sunday“ (Twitter, #1:15 p.m.), signed François-Julien Piednoir, Léo Forissier and Anthony Santoro, takes an interest in the first ladies of the Fifth Republic a few months before the presidential election, the two rounds of which will be held on April 10 and 24, 2022. Eight presidents have occupied the Elysee Palace with their wives or companions by their side: Yvonne de Gaulle, Claude Pompidou, Anne-Aymone Giscard d’Estaing, Danielle Mitterrand, Bernadette Chirac, Cécilia Sarkozy, Carla Bruni-Sarkozy, Valérie Trierweiler and Brigitte Macron.
Each played a role, in public or behind the scenes. Each has tried to develop this function of “First Lady” as the wives of the presidents of the United States of America are called. A very difficult “job” in France, where the first lady has no status. You have to endure the cumbersome protocol, criticism, political blows … How can you exist with the president, a husband unlike any other? These nine women tried to find their place …
Under the gold of the Republic
So who is the most popular first lady among all those who have occupied this armchair which is not always very comfortable? Both in the shadow and in the light of the Elysee Palace, they have entered the lives of the French over time, depending on presidential trips or their humanitarian commitments.
After Yvonne de Gaulle and Claude Pompidou, a change of generation with the arrival of the Giscard d’Estaing at the Elysée Palace. And after Anne-Aymone during her husband’s seven-year term from 1974 to 1981, Danielle (1981-1995) followed by Bernadette (1995-2007) … How did they live all these years under the gold of the Republic?
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