Age, health, and quite simply fatigue eventually got the better of him.
Former President of the Republic Valéry Giscard d'Estaing passed away on Wednesday evening at the age of 94.
The news fell shortly before 11 p.m., announced by those around him.
Then confirmed almost at the same time by the Elysée Palace.
In recent days, the one that the French had taken to calling VGE had appeared very weakened, to the point of having been hospitalized since mid-November at the hospital center of Tours (Indre-et-Loire).
His family said he died "as a result of Covid-19".
His state of health had in fact continued to deteriorate since the start of the school year.
In mid-September, a first alert had led him to the Georges Pompidou hospital, in the 15th arrondissement of Paris.
The Samu had come to his home in the afternoon when the former head of state complained of respiratory problems.
Directly admitted to intensive care, given his very advanced age, he had been diagnosed with an infection.
It is this infection that would have subsequently deteriorated.
His last public appearance then went back a few days, at the beginning of September, for the funeral of one of his former collaborators Mylène Descamps, in Saint-Germain-des-Prés.
The National Assembly is silent
On Wednesday evening, hearing the news, the deputies who were still sitting in the National Assembly observed a minute of silence.
“It is with emotion that I learn of the death of President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.
The European ideal loses one of its founders, France, a President who brought it modernity and audacity: coming of age at 18, legalization of abortion… Respectfully, in memory of it.
», Reacted in the wake of the President of the Assembly, Richard Ferrand.
Commitment in favor of Europe, women's rights, the rights of young people, always keeping in mind this "certain idea of France" which we miss so much today: it was Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.
pic.twitter.com/tkIt0eASmU
- Rachida Dati ن (@datirachida) December 2, 2020
Warned a little earlier in the evening, Emmanuel Macron did not immediately react.
Writing a press release was under consideration.
But tributes fell very quickly, from all sides of the political class.
Like Rachida Dati (LR), who also recalled her “commitment to Europe, women's rights, youth rights, always keeping in mind this certain idea of France which we miss it so much today: it was Valéry Giscard d'Estaing.
"But also of the president of the Modem François Bayrou, for whom the former head of state" had all the gifts.
He dominated almost naturally by his presence, his distinction, his language, the vivacity of his intelligence and the force of his intuitions ”.
Elected twentieth President of the Republic in 1974, after the death of Georges Pompidou, the election of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing had blown a wind of freedom on the country.
But his seven-year term had also erred marred by a few gray areas.
Like the case of the diamonds offered by the Bokassa.
On May 10, 1981, VGE failed to be re-elected against Mitterrand.
Leaving a departure that will be remembered, with this final address by way of "goodbye", then this empty chair.
VIDEO. Death of Valéry Giscard d'Estaing: 5 moments that marked his political life