He was a man who “knew how to form a personal bond with the French people,” according to former socialist President Francois Hollande. His country was in his blood, and he explored its every corner and tasted every local delicacy.
He is Jacques Chirac, the French president from 1995 to 2007. He passed away peacefully on Thursday surrounded by his loved ones, his son-in-law Frederic Salat-Baroux stated in an interview with Reuters.
Mayor of Paris for 18 years and prime minister for presidents on the political left and right before entering the Elysee Palace himself, Chirac had a knack for connecting with voters, particularly in rural France.
The National Assembly interrupted a sitting to hold a minute’s silence. President Emmanuel Macron canceled a public engagement and scheduled a televised address later on Thursday.
Know more about his life over at Reuters.
(Image Credit: David Scull/ Wikimedia Commons)
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I'll never forget the day Los Angeles KROQ morning radio hosts Kevin and Bean and their show beat news person, Ralph Garman pose as Jerry Lewis to try a phone call to then President Chirac. Much to their surprise...they got through! Needless to say, it caused an international incident, and a lawsuit from Jerry Lewis. Still, it was The...Best...Radio...Ever.
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