Valéry Giscard d'Estaing Autograph

Profession:
(1926-2020) French centrist politician who served as President of the French Republic from 1974 until 1981.

Year of Birth: 1926

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was born on February 2, 1926, in Koblenz, Germany. He was a French politician, lawyer, and former president of France from 1974 to 1981. Giscard d'Estaing was a member of the center-right Union for French Democracy (UDF) political party, and he played a prominent role in shaping French politics during his presidency.

Before entering politics, Giscard d'Estaing pursued a career in law. He studied at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand and later attended the prestigious École Polytechnique and the École Nationale d'Administration. His academic achievements led him to work for several government departments, and he quickly rose through the ranks to become a junior minister in the government of Prime Minister Georges Pompidou.

In 1974, Giscard d'Estaing ran for the presidency of France and won by a narrow margin. He was known for his modern and ambitious vision for France, advocating for economic reforms, European integration, and social liberalization. During his presidency, he successfully implemented changes such as lowering the voting age to 18, legalizing abortion, and appointing a significant number of women to government positions.

Giscard d'Estaing also played a vital role in European politics. He was one of the architects of the European Council and actively worked towards closer cooperation between European countries. He championed the idea of a European monetary system and supported the enlargement of the European Union.

After leaving office, Giscard d'Estaing remained active in politics and continued to promote European integration. He founded the think tank "Fondation pour la Prospective et l'Innovation", which focused on global governance, economic growth, and sustainable development. He also wrote several books on politics and history.

Valéry Giscard d'Estaing passed away on December 2, 2020, at the age of 94. His contributions to French and European politics continue to shape the modern-day political landscape.