Valeriana giscard destaing biography

Valery d'Estaing

French statesman and political figure
Date of Birth:
Country: France

Content:
  1. Early Life and Education
  2. Political Career
  3. President of France
  4. Economic Challenges and Political Decline
  5. Post-Presidency
  6. Special Convention on European Constitution
  7. Personal Life and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was born into an affluent aristocratic family in Koblenz, Germany, on February 2, His father, Edmond, was a financial inspector who served in the French army during World War I.

His mother, May Bardoux, was the niece of François Georges-Picot and the great-granddaughter of Agénor Bardoux.

Giscard d'Estaing excelled academically. At the age of 15, he earned his baccalauréat, a secondary school diploma. He subsequently passed the entrance exams for the prestigious École Polytechnique and the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA).

Political Career

Minister of Finance

Giscard d'Estaing's political career began after graduating from ENA.

He served as Minister of Finance under President Georges Pompidou from to and played a key role in developing the Pompidou-Giscard Law.

President of France

Following Pompidou's death in , Giscard d'Estaing was elected President of France.

Valeriana giscard destaing biography He was a proponent of the United States of Europe and, having limited his involvement in national politics after his defeat, he became involved with the European Union. Early political career [ edit ]. In December , Anne-Aymone Giscard d'Estaing put up some of her late husband's art and furniture for sale at Hotel Drouot : the collection included a Rodin bust of Mahler. He pushed for the development of the TGV high speed train network and the Minitel telephone upgrade, a precursor of the Internet.

During his single seven-year term, he initiated ambitious state projects, including the construction of the TGV high-speed rail network and nuclear power plants. He also won the Nansen Refugee Award in

Giscard d'Estaing, unlike his predecessors, pursued a more moderate foreign policy. He cautiously rejoined NATO's military structures and strengthened Soviet-French relations, maintaining a close personal relationship with Leonid Brezhnev.

Economic Challenges and Political Decline

In the latter part of his presidency, France faced a severe economic crisis that ended its period of economic growth.

Giscard d'Estaing's government imposed austerity measures, sparking criticism and weakening his support base.

Post-Presidency

Member of the French Academy and Constitutional Council

After losing his bid for re-election in to François Mitterrand, Giscard d'Estaing remained active in public life.

Valeriana giscard destaing biography ography wikipedia Following his defeat in the regional elections of March , he decided to leave partisan politics and take his seat in the Constitutional Council as a former president of the Republic. From to , Giscard served as a member of the European Parliament. ISSN Giscard d'Estaing, unlike his predecessors, pursued a more moderate foreign policy.

He was elected to the French Academy in and served on the Constitutional Council of France from until his death.

Special Convention on European Constitution

In , Giscard d'Estaing chaired a special convention that drafted the European Constitution. He was also a vocal opponent of Turkey's accession to the European Union.

Personal Life and Legacy

Giscard d'Estaing was married and had four children.

His eldest son, Louis, is a politician who served as Vice-President of the National Assembly of France.

Despite his economic challenges, Giscard d'Estaing is often regarded as a successful president who contributed to France's modernization. He is fondly remembered as "l'Ex" (The Ex-President) and holds records for the longest period spent as an ex-president and for reaching the oldest age among former heads of state.

Giscard d'Estaing passed away on December 2, , at the age of 94, from complications of COVID He left behind a legacy as a pragmatic and forward-thinking leader who played a significant role in French and European history.