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After President’s Breakup, French Wonder if Role of First Lady Is Passé After President’s Breakup, French Wonder if Role of First Lady Is Passé
(7 months later)
PARIS — Does it matter if the French president decides to go it alone, without a partner, spouse or female companion by his side, a situation that seems likely to be the next chapter in the messy personal life of François Hollande? PARIS — Does it matter if the French president decides to go it alone, without a partner, spouse or female companion by his side, a situation that seems likely to be the next chapter in the messy personal life of François Hollande?
A two-week drama came to something of a close on Saturday when Mr. Hollande announced the end of his relationship with his longtime companion, Valérie Trierweiler, and the French, or at least those who were paying attention, are sounding fed up with the whole idea of a first lady.A two-week drama came to something of a close on Saturday when Mr. Hollande announced the end of his relationship with his longtime companion, Valérie Trierweiler, and the French, or at least those who were paying attention, are sounding fed up with the whole idea of a first lady.
“The French are having trouble defining what the status of a first lady should be,” said Christine Clerc, a journalist who has written a book about first couples.“The French are having trouble defining what the status of a first lady should be,” said Christine Clerc, a journalist who has written a book about first couples.
And one reason for that, Ms. Clerc said, is that “a person who has not been elected by universal suffrage lacks legitimacy” in France.And one reason for that, Ms. Clerc said, is that “a person who has not been elected by universal suffrage lacks legitimacy” in France.
In several recent surveys here, more than half of respondents said they did not wish to see any official role for presidential spouses.In several recent surveys here, more than half of respondents said they did not wish to see any official role for presidential spouses.
Mr. Hollande’s announcement came after a French magazine reported that he was having an affair with a French actress, Julie Gayet. After learning of the suspected affair, Ms. Trierweiler, a journalist herself, had an “emotional collapse” and spent more than a week in a hospital.Mr. Hollande’s announcement came after a French magazine reported that he was having an affair with a French actress, Julie Gayet. After learning of the suspected affair, Ms. Trierweiler, a journalist herself, had an “emotional collapse” and spent more than a week in a hospital.
Conversations in recent days with biographers, journalists, a former first lady and several others suggested that the French view of first ladies is far more ambivalent than that of Americans, who — at least since Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1930s and ’40s — have come to see them both as activists who can bring attention to issues they care about and as individuals who can present the president in a softer light. In France, though, there has yet to be a consensus or even a discussion about how a modern first lady should fill the post.Conversations in recent days with biographers, journalists, a former first lady and several others suggested that the French view of first ladies is far more ambivalent than that of Americans, who — at least since Eleanor Roosevelt in the 1930s and ’40s — have come to see them both as activists who can bring attention to issues they care about and as individuals who can present the president in a softer light. In France, though, there has yet to be a consensus or even a discussion about how a modern first lady should fill the post.
It is hard to say which American first lady did the most to begin to create a modern template for the position. Certainly Eleanor Roosevelt was an exceptional figure, one who was arguably ahead of her time. Then, in the early 1960s, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy was able to cultivate an image of a first lady as, among other things, a strong promoter of culture in the form of music, art and photography, using the White House as a forum for showcasing American work and exposing Americans to foreign culture.It is hard to say which American first lady did the most to begin to create a modern template for the position. Certainly Eleanor Roosevelt was an exceptional figure, one who was arguably ahead of her time. Then, in the early 1960s, Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy was able to cultivate an image of a first lady as, among other things, a strong promoter of culture in the form of music, art and photography, using the White House as a forum for showcasing American work and exposing Americans to foreign culture.
She was followed by Lady Bird Johnson, whose beautification projects for public spaces like highways continue today. Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush each took up a social issue, fighting drug use among young people and advocating for literacy. Hillary Rodham Clinton took an active role in public policy issues, especially health care, during her husband’s presidency.She was followed by Lady Bird Johnson, whose beautification projects for public spaces like highways continue today. Nancy Reagan and Barbara Bush each took up a social issue, fighting drug use among young people and advocating for literacy. Hillary Rodham Clinton took an active role in public policy issues, especially health care, during her husband’s presidency.
In France, by contrast, the role is a bit of muddle. Today it seems, de facto first ladies like Ms. Trierweiler need not be married to the president, and they can continue to have jobs in the private sector, raising the question: Who are they working for? Are they serving the French people or themselves? asked Armelle Le Bras Chopard, a professor of political science at the University of Versailles St.-Quentin-en-Yvelines.In France, by contrast, the role is a bit of muddle. Today it seems, de facto first ladies like Ms. Trierweiler need not be married to the president, and they can continue to have jobs in the private sector, raising the question: Who are they working for? Are they serving the French people or themselves? asked Armelle Le Bras Chopard, a professor of political science at the University of Versailles St.-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
At the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century, a French president’s wife followed her husband and generally kept out of public view. Later, as the news media became more prevalent, she helped humanize the perception of her husband, showing him with his family and as a normal person. But today, when the president’s companion has a separate career, “this poses all kinds of new questions,” Ms. Chopard said.At the end of the 19th century and in the early 20th century, a French president’s wife followed her husband and generally kept out of public view. Later, as the news media became more prevalent, she helped humanize the perception of her husband, showing him with his family and as a normal person. But today, when the president’s companion has a separate career, “this poses all kinds of new questions,” Ms. Chopard said.
Cécilia Attias, the former wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, the former president who married the singer and former model Carla Bruni while in office, said in an interview here that she believed it would be helpful to explain the first lady’s public role in a statute. The president’s wife has an important part to play as a member of his team, promoting his ideas and his image, she said.Cécilia Attias, the former wife of Nicolas Sarkozy, the former president who married the singer and former model Carla Bruni while in office, said in an interview here that she believed it would be helpful to explain the first lady’s public role in a statute. The president’s wife has an important part to play as a member of his team, promoting his ideas and his image, she said.
Bernadette Chirac, the wife of former President Jacques Chirac, said in an interview that she viewed the job as “rather tough,” but that she was prepared for it by more than 40 years’ experience as the wife of a politician. She used the role as a platform to work for hospitals and on behalf of the sick, and according to many surveys, she is the most popular first lady of recent times.Bernadette Chirac, the wife of former President Jacques Chirac, said in an interview that she viewed the job as “rather tough,” but that she was prepared for it by more than 40 years’ experience as the wife of a politician. She used the role as a platform to work for hospitals and on behalf of the sick, and according to many surveys, she is the most popular first lady of recent times.
“There is a double-edged problem,” Ms. Attias said. “We must on one side respect each person’s liberty, we cannot force the president to marry. But at the same time, as president, they also become a model.”“There is a double-edged problem,” Ms. Attias said. “We must on one side respect each person’s liberty, we cannot force the president to marry. But at the same time, as president, they also become a model.”
In her view, it is neither easy nor realistic to believe that the president can have a private life that is truly private.In her view, it is neither easy nor realistic to believe that the president can have a private life that is truly private.
“For me, the president of my country is my country,” she said. “He must be exemplary and respectable.”“For me, the president of my country is my country,” she said. “He must be exemplary and respectable.”
Michaël Darmon, the chief political editor at the news network iTélé, said there was a decreasing tolerance in France for a first lady who is supported at taxpayers’ expense, especially in a time of economic crisis, high unemployment and belt-tightening.Michaël Darmon, the chief political editor at the news network iTélé, said there was a decreasing tolerance in France for a first lady who is supported at taxpayers’ expense, especially in a time of economic crisis, high unemployment and belt-tightening.
“This story shows that it is nobody’s business,” said Mr. Darmon, referring to the French public’s and politicians’ view that their personal lives can remain private. But, because it is fodder for the news media at the same time, he said, “it concerns everybody.”“This story shows that it is nobody’s business,” said Mr. Darmon, referring to the French public’s and politicians’ view that their personal lives can remain private. But, because it is fodder for the news media at the same time, he said, “it concerns everybody.”