Bernadette Chirac has been keeping a low profile since the death of her husband Jacques in 2019. Weakened and aged 91, the former first lady no longer leaves the place where her husband passed away…
What is happening to Bernadette Chirac today? The former first lady and wife of the late President Jacques Chirac has not been seen since November 2020 and an outing with her daughter Claude, in Paris; she had then appeared in a wheelchair.
The woman who brilliantly managed Operation Pièces jaunes for years is writing the last pages of her life in the privacy of a chic private mansion in the 6th arrondissement of the capital.
Bernadette Chirac alone (or almost) in a large private mansion
Bernadette Chirac therefore lives in the Montmorency-Fosseux mansion, located at 4 rue de Tournon, indicated The Parisian some time ago. The former general councilor of Corrèze has so many memories of this place… and not only good ones. It was in this mansion on the left bank – where, to date, the average price per square meter for purchase is close to 19,000 euros – that her dear and tender: Jacques Chirac, passed away.
Bernadette Chirac, who was the subject of a true/false biopic last year with Catherine Deneuve in her role, would be installed on the ground floor of the mansion after having chosen to live on the first floor when they moved in with her husband. Still according to the daily, Bernadette Chirac could count on medical staff, a butler and of course on her daughter Claude.I am his caregiver, as I was my father’s. I am there every day. I organize the rotation of caregivers who come. I do what hundreds of thousands of French people do.“, she said to The Tribune almost a year ago.
Why did the Chiracs leave their 400m² apartment?
Before settling in the opulent 6th arrondissement, the Chiracs lived in a luxurious 400 m² apartment lent by the family of the former Lebanese Prime Minister, Rafik Hariri, located on Quai Voltaire in the very chic 7th arrondissement. The couple were forced to move because the accommodation was unfortunately not wheelchair accessible; and there was no question of a retirement home, let alone a nursing home.
Fortunately, businessman and family friend François Pinault lent the presidential couple his mansion on Rue de Tournon. The Chiracs moved in there in December 2015, recalls The Parisian. A building then under police protection since all ex-presidents are entitled to reinforced security.
Today, Bernadette Chirac lives there with her memories.”I can assure you that, contrary to what some say, Bernadette Chirac is still in good spirits, has a good memory and has kept her sense of humour, but also her sometimes slightly acidic thoughts.“, a relative confided to the Figaro last year. Since then, radio silence.
