Antoine Pinay Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Antoine Pinay
Pinay in 1952

Prime Minister of France
In office 8 March 1952 – 8 January 1953
President	Vincent Auriol
Preceded by	Edgar Faure
Succeeded by	René Mayer
Ombudsman of France
In office 1973–1974
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Aimé Paquet

Personal details
Born	(1891-12-30)30 December 1891 Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise, France
Died	13 December 1994(1994-12-13) (aged 102) Saint-Chamond, France
Political party	Democratic Alliance (1936–1938) Democratic and Radical Union (1938–1940) Independent Radicals (1940–1949) Independent (1940–1949) National Centre of Independents and Peasants (1949–1958) Union for the New Republic (1958–1968)
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Antoine Pinay (born December 30, 1891 – died December 13, 1994) was an important French politician. He was known for his conservative ideas. He served as the Prime Minister of France from 1952 to 1953. He lived to be almost 103 years old!

Antoine Pinay's Life Story
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Antoine Pinay's Life Story

Antoine Pinay was born in a town called Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise in France. His parents were Claude and Marie Antoinette Pinay. In 1917, he married Marguerite Fouletier. They had two daughters, Geneviève and Odette, and one son, Pierre.

As a young man, Pinay fought in World War I. He was injured during the war, and his arm was paralyzed for the rest of his life.

After the war, he managed a small business. In 1929, he was elected mayor of Saint-Chamond, Loire. This was his first step into politics.

Early Political Career

In 1936, he was elected to the Chamber of Deputies. This is like a house of representatives in France. He ran as an independent, meaning he wasn't part of a big political group. He was against the Popular Front, a group of left-wing parties.

In 1938, he was elected to the Senate, another part of the French parliament. He joined a group called the Independent Radicals.

During World War II

In 1940, during World War II, he voted to give Marshal Philippe Pétain's government special powers. This led to the end of the French Third Republic and the start of Vichy France. Pinay was appointed to a special council for the Vichy regime in 1941. He also received an award called the Order of the Francisque.

However, Pinay soon resigned from this council. He refused other official jobs offered by the Vichy government. He stayed as mayor of Saint-Chamond to help his town's residents. He also secretly helped many Jewish people and members of the Resistance escape from France.

After the war, in 1944, he was briefly placed under house arrest. But in 1946, an official review recognized his strong opposition to the Nazis. They also noted the help he gave to the Resistance. Because of this, he was cleared of any wrongdoing. His rights to run for election were fully restored.

Post-War Politics

In 1946, Antoine Pinay successfully ran for election again. He helped create a conservative political party called the National Centre of Independents and Peasants. He became known as a very skilled politician.

In 1952, he became the Prime Minister of France. This was a big moment for conservative politics in France. During his time as Prime Minister, he worked to make France's money and economy stronger.

Antoine Pinay with then German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer in 1955

In 1955, he took part in the Messina Conference. This meeting was very important because it helped lead to the Treaty of Rome in 1957. The Treaty of Rome was a key step in creating what is now the European Union.

Later Years

In 1958, during a crisis related to the Algerian War, Pinay supported Charles de Gaulle becoming the leader of France. He also approved of the new Fifth Republic's constitution. He then served as the Minister of Finance until 1960.

In 1973, President Georges Pompidou appointed him as the médiateur de la République. This role is like an ombudsman, someone who helps citizens with problems they have with the government.

Antoine Pinay lived a very long life, dying just 17 days before his 103rd birthday. He is one of the longest-lived national leaders in history. He was buried in his hometown of Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise.