Charles de Gaulle

Date of Birth: November 22, 1890

Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius

Date of Death: November 9, 1970

Biography

Charles de Gaulle was a French army officer and statesman who led the French Resistance against Nazi Germany in World War II and later founded the French Fifth Republic, serving as its first President from 1959 to 1969. Born into a patriotic and Catholic family, de Gaulle pursued a military career and quickly rose through the ranks. During World War II, he escaped to Britain after the fall of France in 1940 and became the leader of the Free French Forces. After the war, he briefly led the provisional government before resigning in 1946. Discontent with the Fourth Republic’s political instability, de Gaulle returned to power in 1958 during the Algerian Crisis and established the Fifth Republic with a new constitution, enhancing the power of the presidency. His presidency was marked by efforts to maintain French independence and grandeur, including withdrawing from NATO’s military command and pursuing a nuclear arsenal. He resigned in 1969 after a failed referendum and lived quietly until his death in 1970.

5 Interesting Facts about Charles de Gaulle

1. Charles de Gaulle was a prolific writer and authored several books, including his war memoirs which are considered classics of modern French literature.

2. De Gaulle was a staunch advocate of French independence and famously vetoed the United Kingdom’s entry into the European Economic Community twice.

3. He survived multiple assassination attempts during his tenure, including the famous “Petit-Clamart” attack in 1962.

4. De Gaulle played a key role in the development of France’s nuclear weapons program, ensuring that the country maintained an independent deterrent.

5. He was instrumental in ending the Algerian War and granting Algeria independence, a decision that was highly controversial at the time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charles de Gaulle

1. “Patriotism is when love of your own people comes first; nationalism, when hate for people other than your own comes first.”

2. “France has no friends, only interests.”

3. “How can you govern a country which has 246 varieties of cheese?”

4. “Greatness is a road leading towards the unknown.”

5. “In order to become the master, the politician poses as the servant.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Charles de Gaulle did not amass significant personal wealth during his lifetime. His highest net worth is not well-documented, but it is known that he lived modestly and was not driven by financial gain.

Children

Charles de Gaulle and his wife, Yvonne Vendroux, had three children: 1. Philippe de Gaulle – Born on December 28, 1921, Philippe is a retired Admiral in the French Navy and a former Senator. 2. Élisabeth de Gaulle – Born on May 15, 1924, and passed away on April 2, 2013. She married General Alain de Boissieu. 3. Anne de Gaulle – Born on January 1, 1928, and passed away on February 6, 1948. Anne was born with Down syndrome, and her condition deeply affected her parents, leading them to establish the Fondation Anne de Gaulle to support disabled children.