Bernadette Chirac, the woman who adored Emmanuel Petit and made Jacques Chirac laugh

Bernadette Chirac, wife of former French President Jacques Chirac, died in the night of Friday to Saturday at the age of 93. Her link with French football, discreet but real, gave rise to a few anecdotes that have remained in people’s memories.

After the Bleus’ triumph in 1998, Bernadette Chirac had confided to France Info that her husband forbade her from going into the players’ dressing room. Once she had left the Élysée, she admitted taking her “revenge” by going to chat with them during the matches she attended.

It was during the reception of the 1998 World Cup champions at the Élysée that the most delicious anecdote emerged. Jacques Chirac had approached Emmanuel Petit, author of the third goal against Brazil in the final, and allegedly said to him with irony: “I don’t like you.” Faced with the bewilderment of the midfielder with the ponytail, the head of state had clarified the reason: “It’s because my wife adores you!”

Bernadette Chirac attended several official receptions of the Bleus during her husband’s two presidential terms. She notably appeared alongside Zinédine Zidane following the 2006 World Cup.