François-Xavier Ortoli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
François-Xavier Ortoli
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| 5th President of the European Commission | |
| In office 5 January 1973 – 5 January 1977 |
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| Vice President | Patrick Hillery |
| Preceded by | Sicco Mansholt |
| Succeeded by | Roy Jenkins |
| Minister of the Economy | |
| In office 4 April 1968 – 21 February 1969 |
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| Prime Minister | Maurice Couve de Murville |
| Preceded by | Maurice Couve de Murville |
| Succeeded by | Valéry Giscard d'Estaing |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
François-Xavier Ortoli
16 February 1925 Ajaccio, Corsica, France |
| Died | 30 November 2007 (aged 82) Paris, France |
| Resting place | Père Lachaise Cemetery, Paris, France |
| Political party | European People's Party |
| Other political affiliations |
Union of Democrats for the Republic (1968–1976) Rally for the Republic (1976–2002) Union for a Popular Movement (2002–2007) |
| Spouse | Adélaïde Allard |
| Children | 3 |
| Alma mater | École nationale d'administration |
François-Xavier Ortoli (born February 16, 1925 – died November 30, 2007) was an important French politician. He is best known for being the 5th President of the European Commission. This is like being the leader of the main team that runs the European Union. He held this big job from 1973 to 1977. Before that, he was also the Minister of the Economy for France from 1968 to 1969.
Contents
Early Life and Education
François-Xavier Ortoli was born in Ajaccio, a city on the island of Corsica, France. He was born in 1925. He went to a special school called the École nationale d'administration (ENA). This school trains people to work in high-level government jobs in France.
World War II Service
During World War II, Ortoli was very brave. He joined the French Resistance. This was a secret group that fought against the enemies occupying France. For his courage, he received special awards like the Croix de Guerre 1939–1945 (France) and the Resistance Medal.
Political Career in France
After the war, Ortoli began his career in politics. He held several important roles in the French government.
Minister of the Economy
From 1968 to 1969, Ortoli served as France's Minister of the Economy. In this role, he was in charge of the country's money matters and financial plans. He worked under Prime Minister Maurice Couve de Murville.
Other Government Roles
Ortoli also held other important jobs in the French government. These included being a minister for equipment and housing, and a minister for national education. These roles helped him gain a lot of experience in how a country is run.
Leading the European Commission
One of Ortoli's most important jobs was leading the European Commission. This group helps manage the European Union.
What is the European Commission?
The European Commission is like the executive branch of the European Union. It suggests new laws, manages the EU's budget, and makes sure EU laws are followed. The President of the Commission is a very powerful position.
Ortoli's Time as President
Ortoli became the President of the European Commission in 1973. During his time, the European Community (which later became the European Union) was growing. New countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Denmark joined in 1973. He helped guide the organization through these changes.
Key Challenges and Achievements
During Ortoli's presidency, Europe faced economic challenges. He worked to keep the European countries working together. He also helped create the European Unit of Account (EUA). This was a step towards having a single currency in Europe, which later became the Euro.
Later Career and Legacy
After his time as President of the European Commission, Ortoli continued to work in important roles.
Role in Business
He became the chairman and CEO of TotalEnergies, a major French energy company. He led this company for many years, from 1984 to 1990.
Political Parties
Throughout his career, Ortoli was part of several political parties in France. These included the Union of Democrats for the Republic and the Rally for the Republic. He was a member of the European People's Party at the time of his death.
François-Xavier Ortoli passed away in Paris in 2007 at the age of 82. He is remembered for his dedication to public service in France and his leadership in Europe.
Learn More
- In Spanish: François-Xavier Ortoli para niños
