Jacques Chirac

President of France from 1995 to 2007

Fame81.9
Momentum26.1
France rank#28

Source-basedRising

Fame81.9
Momentum26.1
France rank#28
Politicians rank#78
Wikipedia90.4K

Lived 1932–2019, aged 87France

France PoliticiansPolitician

Wikipedia
131 languages
Cross-language footprint
Rank in France
#28
Politicians
Era
1932–2019
Aged 87
Known for
Taxi 2
2000

Summary

Updated 2026-08-31

He pulled France off the Iraq invasion, slashed the presidency from seven years to five, and admitted what Vichy did to the Jews — then left office for a corruption conviction.

Biography

About

Jacques René Chirac attended the École nationale d'administration and rose through civil service into politics, holding posts from agriculture minister to interior minister before serving as Prime Minister twice (1974–1976, 1986–1988) and Mayor of Paris from 1977 to 1995. He lost presidential bids in 1981 and 1988 as the Gaullist RPR candidate, initially championing tax cuts and privatisation, then reversed course and won the presidency in 1995 on a promise to heal France's "social rift," beating Socialist Lionel Jospin with 52.6% in the runoff. His twelve years in office featured state-direct…

Voice

In their own words

Sourced, dated quotes from Jacques Chirac

Jacques Chirac

said14 Jan 2014

There have been women I have loved ... A lot, as discreetly as possible.

— "'Affair' story will continue to rumble" Christian Fraser, BBC News, 14 January 2014

Jacques Chirac

said10 Feb 2003

As far as France is concerned, we are ready to envisage everything that can be done under UNSCR 1441.

— Source: Statement made during a joint press conference, Paris, February 10 2003

Jacques Chirac

saidundated

Anything that can hurt the convictions of another, particularly religious convictions, must be avoided. Freedom of expression must be exercised in a spirit of responsibility.

— Source: Statement made about free speech following the publication of Danish cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed

Jacques Chirac

saidundated