Who Is Valéry Giscard d'Estaing? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on February 2, 1926, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing served as the President of France from 1974 to 1981. He was a notable center-right politician and a member of the French Constitutional Council until his passing in late 2020. His presidency is remembered for the modernization of French society, economic reforms, and pro-European Union policies. With a life marked by significant political contributions, Giscard d'Estaing's legacy continues to influence French political discourse.
Occupation | Republicans |
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Date of Birth | February 2, 1926 |
Age | 94 Years |
Birth Place | Koblenz, French-occupied Germany |
Horoscope | Aquarius |
Country | Germany |
Date of death | 2 December, 2020 |
Died Place | Authon, Loir-et-Cher, France |
Popularity
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was known for his poised demeanor and sharp intellect. Although physical statistics detail his presence as a statesman, specific measurements such as height and weight are less documented, given the focus on his political rather than personal persona.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was married to Anne-Aymone Giscard d'Estaing, with whom he had three children. Their marriage lasted for many decades until his death in December 2020. There is no public information or record of a boyfriend or girlfriend due to his longstanding commitment to his wife and family.
He was the elder son of Jean Edmond Lucien Giscard d'Estaing, a high-ranking civil servant, and his wife, Marthe Clémence Jacqueline Marie (May) Bardoux. His mother was the daughter of senator and academic Achille Octave Marie Jacques Bardoux, and a granddaughter of minister of state education Agénor Bardoux.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his death, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was estimated to have a net worth of approximately $2 million. His fortune was accrued through his political career, investments, and involvement in various business endeavors, including publishing and consulting.
He graduated from the École Polytechnique and the École nationale d'administration (1949–1951) and chose to enter the prestigious Inspection des finances. He was admitted to the Tax and Revenue Service, then joined the staff of Prime Minister Edgar Faure (1955–1956). He was fluent in German.
Career, Business and Investments
Giscard d'Estaing’s political career was marked by various significant roles, including serving as Minister of Finance and Minister of Economic Affairs before becoming President. Post-presidency, he was active in international politics and European affairs. He also had interests in writing and was involved in various business ventures, particularly in the publishing sector. His work on constitutional reform within the European Union showcased his enduring influence on European politics.
However, in 1966, he was dismissed from the cabinet. He transformed the RI into a political party, the National Federation of the Independent Republicans (FNRI), and founded the Perspectives and Realities Clubs. In this, he criticised the "solitary practice of the power" and summarised his position towards De Gaulle's policy by a "yes, but ...".
As chairman of the National Assembly Committee on Finances, he criticised his successor in the cabinet.
Social Network
Though he was not active on social media during his lifetime, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing's legacy continues to resonate, and his family has shared information reminiscing about him through various platforms. His thoughts and insights can still be found in interviews and documentaries about his political career, which serve as valuable resources for those interested in modern French history.
In order to defend himself, Giscard d'Estaing claimed to have sold the diamonds and donated the proceeds to the Central African Red Cross. He expected CARC authorities to confirm the story. However, the head of the local Red Cross society, Jeanne-Marie Ruth-Rolland, publicly denied the French claims.
Ruth-Rolland was quickly dismissed from her post in what she described as a "coup de force" by Dacko. The saga contributed to Giscard losing his 1981 reelection bid.
Education
Giscard d'Estaing was educated at the prestigious Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris before attending the University of Paris where he earned a degree in law. In addition, he graduated from the École nationale d'administration (ENA), one of France's most renowned institutions for public administration, which has produced many of France's political leaders.
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was a close friend of West German chancellor Helmut Schmidt and together they persuaded smaller European states to hold regular summit meetings, and set up the European Monetary System. They induced the Soviet Union to establish a degree of liberalisation through the Helsinki Accords.