François Mitterrand - Former President of France, Birthday and Personal Life
François Mitterrand's Personal Details
Francois Mitterrand was a French statesman and politician who went on to become the President of France for the longest term (1981-1995)
| Information | Detail |
|---|---|
| Birthday | October 26, 1916 |
| Died on | January 8, 1996 |
| Nationality | French |
| Famous | Leaders, Political Leaders, Presidents, Former President of France |
| Spouses | Danielle Mitterrand |
| Siblings | Jacques Mitterrand, Philippe Mitterrand, Robert Mitterrand |
| Known as | Francois Mitterrand, François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand, Tonton, François-Maurice-Marie Mitterrand |
| Childrens | Gilbert Mitterrand, Jean-Christophe Mitterrand, Mazarine Pingeot, Pascal Mitterrand |
| Universities |
|
| Founder / Co-Founder |
|
| Birth Place | Jarnac |
| Religion | Agnosticism, Catholicism |
| Gender | Male |
| Father | Joseph Gilbert Félix Miterrand |
| Mother | Marie Gabrielle Yvonne Lorrain |
| Sun Sign | Scorpio |
| Born in | Jarnac |
| Famous as | Former President of France |
| Died at Age | 79 |
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François Mitterrand's photo
Who is François Mitterrand?
Francois Mitterrand was a French statesman and politician who went on to become the President of France for the longest term (1981-1995). Completing education in the field of law and politics, he started his career as an officer in the French Army during the World War II. Although kept secretive, he collaborated with the Vichy government till 1943 when he joined the French Resistance. Post his becoming the cabinet minister of the Fourth Republic in 1947, he continued being in action through diverse cabinet posts for another twelve years. Having served as the leader of the Socialist Party, Mitterrand was also the first left candidate to become the President under the Fifth Republic in 1981 and was re-elected in 1988 as well. While in presidency, his efforts were directed at economic revamp through nationalization, fighting unemployment and wage improvements. His work in the cultural and social arena was also acknowledged and widely acclaimed. During his tenure till 1995, he made several efforts for fostering economic as well as political amalgamation with Western Europe by following a centrist approach as against socialist approach alone. His reign is also known for encouraging improved French- German relations on grounds of collaboration and not opposition. Although struggling with prostate cancer, he continued to serve as long as he could but the down turn in the French economy coupled with his deteriorating health led him to resign from presidency.
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Childhood & Early Life
François Mitterrand was born on October 26, 1916 in Jarnac, Charente, in a conservative Catholic family of Gilbert Felix Joseph and Marie Gabrielle Yvonne Lorrain.
He was baptized as François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand.
His father started as an agent of a railroad company , also worked as an engineer for la Compagnie Paris Orléans and went on to become the President of the trade unions of the vinegar manufacturers.
His education lasted for almost a decade from 1925 to 1934 in Saint-Paul College, Angouleme; during which he obtained membership of the student organization of Action Catholique called Jeunesse Etudiante Chrétienne (JEC).
In 1934, he shifted base to Paris for further education in law and politics from the University of Paris.
During his stay in Paris, his involvement in the right wing politics was very evident after joining the League of National Volunteers which was a group known for paramilitary activities.
Career
During 1937 to 1939, he was recruited in the colonial troops. Post his education he became the Sergeant-chief (infantry sergeant) in the Maginot line near Montmedy in September 1939.
Mitterrand served in the French Army during the World War II where he was also injured and taken in the German custody in the war camp in Kassel in June 1940.
While a prisoner, he became closely acquainted with a number of prisoners of wars coming from various social backgrounds.
After several efforts, he managed to escape from the war camp and landed in the region of the fascist French collaborationist Vichy government in December 1941 where he worked as an official with the Marshall Philippe Petain-run Vichy government to aid war prisoners.
He kept his association with the Nazi regime hidden from the public to avoid being seen as a collaborator.
Mitterrand also got involved in the French Resistance in 1943 and helped organize war prisoners for France’s freedom, during which he got introduced to General Charles de Gaulle.
Although the two did not get along well initially on issues regarding the merging of their groups but the three resistance groups namely the communists, Gaullists and the RNPGs were finally merged as the Deportees National Movement of which Mitterrand became the leader.
Post war, Mitterrand got actively involved in politics in 1946 when he won the election to the National Assembly. In 1947, he joined a centrist group called the Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance.
Mitterrand was later elected for various posts in the Fourth Republic such as a Deputy and as a Minister (for different portfolios such as minister for war veterans, interior, justice and many more).
His political career started taking a downturn with his opposition to Gaulle’s Fifth Republic in 1950s when he lost his Assembly Seat in 1958. He contested for Presidency against Gaulle in 1965 but lost again.
His career began to improve few years down the line when he changed his political philosophy.
Diverting his efforts for the unification of the French Left in 1971 he became the secretary of the Socialist Party.
Mitterrand contested for Presidency in 1974 too but lost the post to Giscard d’ Estaing by a very close margin but seven years after the defeat, he managed to defeat him for France’s political position of highest acclaim.
Coming to power from 1981, he channelized his efforts towards various social and political reforms such as fighting unemployment, improvisation of worker’s pay, abolition of death penalty, nationalization of banks and other businesses and many more.
In 1986 Mitterrand was forced to work with the political right by seeking ways for co-operation with the then Prime Minister, Jacques Chirac.
In 1988, he managed to be win presidency again thereby becoming the first French politician in the country’s history to win election twice.
The jitters in the French economy coupled with Mitterrand’s health issues resulted in the turn down during the last years of his presidency.
In 1995, he resigned after the completion of his second term and was succeeded by his long time rival, Jacques Chirac.
Achievements
His first term (1981-88) was marked by an economic policy that aimed to enhance economic activities such as nationalization, improved wages, hike in social benefits etc. Efforts were streamlined to improve housing and health care facilities and improved employment opportunities for women. The first decentralization law, the Defferre Act was passed by Mitterrand.
Social policies during his term aimed at the pensioners who obtained a right to full pension at the age of 60. Efforts were made for the elderly to ensure their stay at home instead of residential care houses.
The health care sector was also revamped through decentralization of hospital administration, improvement of research facilities and strengthening of worker’s right in the health sector.
Efforts to strengthen the education system were evident by the increase in the education budget. Various disciplines were made mandatory such as civics, French history, technical education etc.
Death penalty was abolished via the Badinter Act. Strict rules for legal and police investigations were introduced.
With respect to cultural policies, media was made liberal, the CSA media regulation agency was formed and a private broadcasting sector was introduced. Music was encouraged by setting-up music schools.
Mitterrand was not far behind on the foreign policy front too. He continued the testing of nuclear weapons and stayed away from NATO but kept active involvement with African affairs.
Making considerable efforts for building a consolidated European unanimity was proposed by his Treaty on European Union in 1991 during his second term. This treaty focused on a central banking system, common currency and an integrated foreign policy.
He also appointed Edith Cresson as the first woman Prime Minister in the French history.
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Danielle Mitterrand in 1944 with whom he had three sons - Pascal, Jean-Christophe and Gilbert.
His daughter Mazarine Pingeot and a son Hravn Forsne were born from an extra marital affair he had with Anne Pingeot (his mistress) and Christina Forsne (Swedish Journalist) respectively.
During his retirement phase, he was defamed for his connections with Vichy collaborators, political vices and extra marital link ups.
Mitterrand passed away at the age of 79 on January 8, 1996 in Paris due to prostate cancer, a medical ailment that was kept hidden by him as well as his doctors for his career sake.
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François Mitterrand biography timelines
- // 26th Oct 1916François Mitterrand was born on October 26, 1916 in Jarnac, Charente, in a conservative Catholic family of Gilbert Felix Joseph and Marie Gabrielle Yvonne Lorrain.
- // 1925 To 1934His education lasted for almost a decade from 1925 to 1934 in Saint-Paul College, Angouleme; during which he obtained membership of the student organization of Action Catholique called Jeunesse Etudiante Chrétienne (JEC).
- // 1934In 1934, he shifted base to Paris for further education in law and politics from the University of Paris.
- // Jun 1940Mitterrand served in the French Army during the World War II where he was also injured and taken in the German custody in the war camp in Kassel in June 1940.
- // Dec 1941After several efforts, he managed to escape from the war camp and landed in the region of the fascist French collaborationist Vichy government in December 1941 where he worked as an official with the Marshall Philippe Petain-run Vichy government to aid war prisoners.
- // 1943Mitterrand also got involved in the French Resistance in 1943 and helped organize war prisoners for France’s freedom, during which he got introduced to General Charles de Gaulle.
- // 1944He married Danielle Mitterrand in 1944 with whom he had three sons - Pascal, Jean-Christophe and Gilbert.
- // 1946 To 1947Post war, Mitterrand got actively involved in politics in 1946 when he won the election to the National Assembly. In 1947, he joined a centrist group called the Democratic and Socialist Union of the Resistance.
- // 1958 To 1965His political career started taking a downturn with his opposition to Gaulle’s Fifth Republic in 1950s when he lost his Assembly Seat in 1958. He contested for Presidency against Gaulle in 1965 but lost again.
- // 1971Diverting his efforts for the unification of the French Left in 1971 he became the secretary of the Socialist Party.
- // 1974Mitterrand contested for Presidency in 1974 too but lost the post to Giscard d’ Estaing by a very close margin but seven years after the defeat, he managed to defeat him for France’s political position of highest acclaim.
- // 1981Coming to power from 1981, he channelized his efforts towards various social and political reforms such as fighting unemployment, improvisation of worker’s pay, abolition of death penalty, nationalization of banks and other businesses and many more.
- // 1981 To 1988His first term (1981-88) was marked by an economic policy that aimed to enhance economic activities such as nationalization, improved wages, hike in social benefits etc. Efforts were streamlined to improve housing and health care facilities and improved employment opportunities for women. The first decentralization law, the Defferre Act was passed by Mitterrand.
- // 1986In 1986 Mitterrand was forced to work with the political right by seeking ways for co-operation with the then Prime Minister, Jacques Chirac.
- // 1988In 1988, he managed to be win presidency again thereby becoming the first French politician in the country’s history to win election twice.
- // 1991Making considerable efforts for building a consolidated European unanimity was proposed by his Treaty on European Union in 1991 during his second term. This treaty focused on a central banking system, common currency and an integrated foreign policy.
- // 1995In 1995, he resigned after the completion of his second term and was succeeded by his long time rival, Jacques Chirac.
- // 8th Jan 1996Mitterrand passed away at the age of 79 on January 8, 1996 in Paris due to prostate cancer, a medical ailment that was kept hidden by him as well as his doctors for his career sake.
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François Mitterrand's FAQ
What is François Mitterrand birthday?
François Mitterrand was born at 1916-10-26
When was François Mitterrand died?
François Mitterrand was died at 1996-01-08
Where was François Mitterrand died?
François Mitterrand was died in Paris
Which age was François Mitterrand died?
François Mitterrand was died at age 79
Where is François Mitterrand's birth place?
François Mitterrand was born in Jarnac
What is François Mitterrand nationalities?
François Mitterrand's nationalities is French
Who is François Mitterrand spouses?
François Mitterrand's spouses is Danielle Mitterrand
Who is François Mitterrand siblings?
François Mitterrand's siblings is Jacques Mitterrand, Philippe Mitterrand, Robert Mitterrand
Who is François Mitterrand childrens?
François Mitterrand's childrens is Gilbert Mitterrand, Jean-Christophe Mitterrand, Mazarine Pingeot, Pascal Mitterrand
What was François Mitterrand universities?
François Mitterrand studied at University of Paris, Sciences Po
Which company or organization was founded by François Mitterrand?
François Mitterrand was the founder/co-founder of Socialist Party, Musée d'Orsay, Arte
What is François Mitterrand's religion?
François Mitterrand's religion is Agnosticism, Catholicism
Who is François Mitterrand's father?
François Mitterrand's father is Joseph Gilbert Félix Miterrand
Who is François Mitterrand's mother?
François Mitterrand's mother is Marie Gabrielle Yvonne Lorrain
What is François Mitterrand's sun sign?
François Mitterrand is Scorpio
How famous is François Mitterrand?
François Mitterrand is famouse as Former President of France