By marrying Jacques Chirac, the late Bernadette experienced ups and downs. Especially in their private lives. And she made no secret of it.
Bernadette Chirac, who will probably have been the most notable and most popular First Lady of the Fifth Republic, died on June 5, 2026, at the age of 93. Always dignified in her role, she had to suffer the infidelity of her husband, the late President Jacques Chirac.
Bernadette Chirac and Jacques’ mistresses: “At the beginning, it was hard”
Questioned by France 2, in 2016, for a documentary dedicated to her, Bernadette Chirac did not beat around the bush to discuss her husband’s affairs, which existed not only during his time as President of the Republic. “Butterflies circled around the lamp. And I even had worries and sorrows“, she said. Among Jacques’ best-known mistresses, there was notably the journalist from Figaro Jacqueline Chabridon.
The former First Lady added lucidly: “Regardless of power, all men who have power, or a very large fortune, attract women. At the beginning, it was hard. At first, I had a lot of sadness. Then afterward, I got used to it. I told myself that this was the rule, and that we had to endure it with as much dignity as possible.“
Why did Bernadette Chirac stay despite her husband’s infidelity?
In the same documentary, Bernadette Chirac – née Chodron de Courcel – admitted to having remained at her husband’s side, mentioning in particular her education as the main reason. “I could have done the same. If I had met a handsome sportsman, a handsome musician or a handsome sailor, right now that’s what’s happening. I didn’t do it“, she said.
And Claude Chirac’s mother, who watched over Bernadette throughout the last years of her life by assuming a delicate role as caregiver at her home in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, added: “Because, first of all, I am a practicing Catholic and I believe that the training we received as a child is indelible. And then you have to tell the truth. I was still very much in love with my husband. Very in love.” She now joins Jacques for eternity.
