Death of President / Décès du président Valéry Giscard d’Estaing

Dear friends of France, the Embassy of France would like to thank you very much for the personal messages you sent after the loss of former President of France, Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1926-2020) who served in office from 1974 to 1981.

Chers amis de la France, chers compatriotes, l’Ambassade de France tient à vous remercier pour les messages personnels que vous avez envoyés suite au décès du président Valéry Giscard d’Estaing (1926-2020), qui exerça ses fonctions de 1974 à 1981.

Photo: ©La Documentation française/Jacques-Henri Lartigue

Register of Condolences
Registre de condoléances

On behalf of the HM The Queen, the British Government and people and the British Embassy in Washington DC, I express our deep condolences on the passing of HE President Valery Giscard d’Estaing of France. He was an important statesman of his time who worked tirelessly for France, for Europe, for international co-operation and for the values we share. We join our French friends in mourning his passing and send all our sympathies to his family and friends. — Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, British Ambassador, Washington DC

The Embassy of Romania conveys its deepest condolences on the passing of President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, a defining personality of French and European politics and a statesman of truly global stature. His historical contributions to greater European integration and international multilateral cooperation remain an example and an inspiration to us all. Romanians will always remember him as a friend and a strong advocate of the French-Romanian partnership. We stand together with President Giscard D´Estaing’s grieving family, the people and the government of the French Republic at this difficult moment. — George Cristian Maior, Ambassador of Romania to the United States

On behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Washington, I would like express our deepest condolences on the passing of former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. He was a great statesman and a devoted European. His death is a tremendous loss both for France and Europe. May he rest in peace. — Anita Stanković Pavlič, Chargé d’Affaires a.i.

It is with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Président Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. The day of his inauguration in 1973, several of my American friends and I waited to pay tribute as the handsome young Président walked the length of the Champs-Élyséees. That is how I will remember him forever, the citizen president. — Bettye M., Ph.D.

Personaje historico e inolvidable! Descanse en paz Merci — Ximena

Please accept our heartfelt condolences on the passing of the former President of France Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. We mourn the loss of an outstanding statesman and one of the architects and promoters of European integration. — Piotr Wilczek, Ambassador of Poland

On behalf of the people of the Czech Republic and on my own behalf, I would like to convey our deepest condolences on the loss of former President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing to his family and friends and the people of France. President d’Estaing will be remembered as a great European statesman and a supporter of unified Europe. — Hynek Kmoníček, Ambassador of the Czech Republic

It is with deep regret that I have learnt of the passing of former French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. Valéry Giscard d’Estaing was a great statesman and a great European. His legacy to Europe, its institutions and its citizens lives on. Important landmarks of the European integration process go back to his initiative. We will cherish his memory as a true friend of Germany and a committed proponent of French-German cooperation. His unique friendship with Chancellor Helmut Schmidt remains an inspiration for political generations to come. As Chancellor Angela Merkel has stated: “France has lost a statesman, Germany a friend and all of us a great European”. — Emily Haber, Ambassador of Germany

Au moment où la France est dans le recueillement à la suite du décès de l’Ancien Président de la République Valery Giscard d’Estaing, j’ai l’honneur au nom du Président de la République du Bénin son Excellence Monsieur Patrice Talon, du Gouvernement et du Peuple béninois, de saluer l’œuvre réformatrice de l’Homme d’Etat qu’il fut. J’adresse mes condoléances à la famille du défunt et au peuple français. — Jean-Claude do Régo, Ambassadeur

On behalf on the spanish community in the US, I wish to express our sincere condolences on the loss of former president Giscard d’ Estaing. In these sad moments,our thoughts and prayers go to his family and the people of France. — Santiago Cabanas, Ambassador of Spain

To Valéry Giscard d’Estaing family, friends, and country members, my sincere condolences on your loss. Rest in Peace Mr. President — Gregory F.

A l’occasion du décès du Président Valéry Giscard d’Estaing je présente mes plus sincères condoléances au peuple français et aux membres de sa famille. Le Grand-Duché du Luxembourg perd un grand ami et un allié convaincu dans la construction européenne. — Gaston Stronck, Ambassadeur du Luxembourg aux Etats-Unis

My condolences for the loss of former president Giscard d’Estaing, especially in these circumstances. May he rest in peace. — Gabi F.

On behalf of my government and on my own behalf, I would like to express our deepest condolences on the passing of former President of France Valéry Giscard d’Estaing. France and Europe have lost a grate politician and statesman. As president, Giscard d’Estaing promoted closer cooperation among the European nations. His tenure was marked by a more liberal attitude on social issues and trade. President Giscard d’Estaing invested also a lot of efforts in modernizing the country through infrastructure projects such as the TGV and the reliance on nuclear power. — Tihomir Stoytchev, Ambassador of Bulgaria

Avec le décès du Président Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, le Porugal et la communuaté portugaise, en France, ont perdu un grand ami . On gardera toujours à l’esprit aussi sa contribution extraordinaire pour le projet européen et son attachement à l ídée d ’une Europe plus capable d’affirmer son identité propre. — Domingos Fezas Vital

Tout le personnel de l’Ambassade de Centrafrique se joint à moi pour saluer la mémoire du Président Valery Giscard d’Estain, Homme d’Etat et grand ami de la République centrafricaine. Toutes nos condoléances au peuple Français, ami de toujours! — Martial NDOUBOU, Ambassadeur

On behalf of myself, the Ambassador and all staff members of the Embassy of the Republic of Malta, I would like to extend my deep sympathies and condolences to the entire French nation, and the family of President Giscard d’Estaing in these extremely difficult times. May God ease the pain of the loss of such a remarkable Statesman, President, and Family man, and grant him eternal rest. — Keith Azzopardi

Mes très sincères condoléances à la famille du Président Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, ainsi qu’au peuple et au gouvernement français. Un grand Monsieur est parti qui restera pour toujours en notre mémoire! — Stanislas M.

On behalf of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia to the United States of America please accept our condolences to family members, friends and colleagues and the French nation with the loss of H.E. Valéry Giscard d’Estaing, former President of France. Respectfully, — Māris Selga, Ambassador

Mes plus sincères condoléances à sa famille et à toute la France. Les grands hommes d’état deviennent de plus en plus rares. — Naji N.

My greatest condolences for a great man and world leader. — Mary Joy P.

I am sad to hear of the passing of President Valery Giscard d’Estaing, he was a fine president and envoy of France. A statesman of high regard. — Ken W.

Sincères condoléances à la mémoire du Président Giscard d’Estaing. — Jeanne A. B.

RIP sir. — Michael L.

President Valery Giscard D’Estaing was the father of European monetary union, an economist, a man of culture with elegant bearing. He also was a founder of French American Foundation. Vive L’amitie Franco-Americaine. — Dening L.

My condolences to his loved ones. — Rana S.

Un ami des Etats-Unis et un citoyen du monde libre. Vive l’amitié Franco-Américaine. — Charles K.

Sorry 😐 for your loss. Stay strong. God bless. — Manley C.

Repose en paix. Mon cher Président 🙏🏿 — Max M.

En apprenant cette triste nouvelle, je lamente un monde perdu - et les menhirs intellectuels de mon enfance. Je me suis surprise larmes aux yeux. C’est un très triste moment si la pandémie a pu attendre le dernier grand homme de France. Son passage marque avec toute finalité une époque perdue. De nos temps, le cynisme tourmente la vision. Je me souviens des vestiges de la France profonde. Cette France insuffisamment protégeait dans les années 80. Je me souviens de Paul Breistroffer – un Jeune Giscardien – et sa revendication de la France active et rurale. Je me souviens qu’il expose les dégâts du cycle vacances-touristes. Je me souviens de mon grand-père Breton de souche paysanne et son énorme respect pour le Président. Je me souviens de mon autre grand-père, un grand homme noble et indigène, l’inoxydable résistant, défendeur de valeurs parallèles. Comment prendre le relais ? Aux pioches femmes citoyennes. On a face à la reconstruction malgré le chaos. Il est temps de se faire entendre non comme mannequins béatifiques, mais comme penseuses libérées. — MLF