François Hollande facts for kids

Quick facts for kids François Hollande
Hollande in 2019
President of France
In office 15 May 2012 – 14 May 2017
Prime Minister	Jean-Marc Ayrault Manuel Valls Bernard Cazeneuve
Preceded by	Nicolas Sarkozy
Succeeded by	Emmanuel Macron
President of the General Council of Corrèze
In office 20 March 2008 – 15 May 2012
Preceded by	Jean-Pierre Dupont
Succeeded by	Gérard Bonnet [fr]
First Secretary of the Socialist Party
In office 27 November 1997 – 27 November 2008
Preceded by	Lionel Jospin
Succeeded by	Martine Aubry
Mayor of Tulle
In office 17 March 2001 – 17 March 2008
Preceded by	Raymond-Max Aubert
Succeeded by	Bernard Combes
Member of the National Assembly for Corrèze's 1st constituency
Incumbent
Assumed office 18 July 2024
Preceded by	Francis Dubois
In office 12 June 1997 – 14 May 2012
Preceded by	Lucien Renaudie
Succeeded by	Sophie Dessus
In office 23 June 1988 – 1 April 1993
Preceded by	Constituency re-established
Succeeded by	Raymond-Max Aubert
Member of the European Parliament
In office 20 July 1999 – 17 December 1999
Constituency	France
Personal details
Born	François Gérard Georges Nicolas Hollande (1954-08-12) 12 August 1954 (age 70) Rouen, France
Political party	Socialist Party
Spouse	Julie Gayet ​ (m. 2022)​
Domestic partners	Ségolène Royal (1978–2007) Valérie Trierweiler (2007–2014)
Children	4
Alma mater	Panthéon-Assas University HEC Paris Sciences Po Paris École nationale d'administration
Signature
Military service
Branch/service	French Army

François Hollande (born 12 August 1954) is a French politician. He served as the President of France from 2012 to 2017. Before becoming president, he held several important roles. He was the leader of the Socialist Party from 1997 to 2008. He also served as the Mayor of Tulle and led the local government of Corrèze. In 2024, he returned to the National Assembly.

Early Life and Education

François Hollande was born in Rouen, France, on 12 August 1954. His mother was a social worker, and his father was a doctor. When he was 13, his family moved to Neuilly-sur-Seine, a suburb of Paris.

Hollande studied law at Panthéon-Assas University. He also attended other top French schools like HEC Paris and the École nationale d'administration (ENA). After finishing his studies, he worked for the French government's audit court.

Political Journey

Hollande joined the Socialist Party in 1979. He quickly became involved in politics. In 1988, he was elected to the National Assembly for the first time.

Leading the Socialist Party

In 1997, Hollande became the First Secretary of the Socialist Party. He held this important leadership role for 11 years. During this time, the Socialist Party was very strong in the French government. He also served as the mayor of Tulle from 2001 to 2008.

After the Socialist Party faced some challenges in elections, Hollande decided not to seek another term as First Secretary in 2008. He then became the president of the local government in Corrèze.

Running for President in 2012

In 2011, Hollande announced he would run for president. He won the primary election for the Socialist Party. This made him the official candidate for the 2012 presidential election.

Hollande campaigning in Reims, 2012

Hollande's campaign focused on equality and regulating finance. He promised to raise taxes on large companies and wealthy individuals. He also proposed creating new teaching jobs and lowering the retirement age for some workers. He supported legalizing same-sex marriage and adoption.

In the first round of the election, Hollande came in first place. He then faced the current president, Nicolas Sarkozy, in a second round. On 6 May 2012, François Hollande was elected President of France.

President of France (2012–2017)

Hollande (right) and outgoing President Nicolas Sarkozy at Élysée Palace on inauguration day, 15 May 2012

Hollande became President on 15 May 2012. He was the first Socialist president since François Mitterrand. One of his first actions was to appoint Jean-Marc Ayrault as his Prime Minister. His government was the first in France to have an equal number of men and women. They also lowered the salaries of the President and other government members.

Hollande during a meeting in Carcassonne in May 2015

Key Policies and Reforms

• Budget and Economy: Hollande aimed to reduce the government's debt. He proposed higher taxes for very high earners and large companies. He also wanted to support small and medium-sized businesses. His government planned to build more public housing.
• Same-Sex Marriage: A major promise was to legalize same-sex marriage and adoption. A bill was introduced in late 2012. After much debate, the law was passed in May 2013. This was a significant change for France.
• Labor Laws: Hollande worked to reform labor laws. The goal was to make it easier for companies to hire and fire employees. This was meant to help France's economy compete better internationally. The reforms also included new training credits for workers.
• Pension System: His government also reformed the pension system. This was done to address a predicted deficit. Instead of raising the retirement age, they increased contributions to the system.

Foreign Affairs

Hollande was active in foreign policy. He withdrew French troops from Afghanistan in 2012. He also launched military operations in Mali and the Central African Republic to help stabilize these countries.

Hollande reviewing troops during the 2013 Bastille Day military parade

Hollande with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on 7 June 2013

He worked closely with Germany on European issues. Hollande also met with many world leaders, including Barack Obama and Theresa May.

Hollande and Barack Obama on board Air Force One, 10 February 2014

Leaders of Belarus, Russia, Germany, France, and Ukraine at the Minsk II summit, 11–12 February 2015

Hollande with British Prime Minister Theresa May in Paris on 21 July 2016

During his presidency, France faced several terrorist attacks, including in Paris in 2015 and Nice in 2016. Hollande led the country through these difficult times. Paris also hosted the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference.

Approval Ratings

Hollande's approval ratings varied during his time as president. After the Charlie Hebdo shooting in January 2015, his popularity increased. However, over time, his approval ratings generally declined. By the end of his term, he was considered one of the most unpopular presidents in France's modern history. In 2016, he announced he would not seek re-election.

Life After Presidency

Former President Hollande at Créteil University in March 2024

After leaving office in 2017, François Hollande continued to comment on political life. He has written several books. In his books, he has shared his thoughts on current French and international politics.

In 2023, he participated in a march against antisemitism in Paris.

Return to National Assembly (2024)

In June 2024, Hollande surprised many by announcing he would run for a seat in the National Assembly again. He ran for the first constituency of Corrèze. He won the election and returned to the National Assembly.

Personal Life

Hollande with his then-partner Ségolène Royal, at a rally for the 2007 elections

For many years, François Hollande's partner was fellow politician Ségolène Royal. They have four children together. They separated in 2007.

After that, he was in a relationship with journalist Valérie Trierweiler. She moved into the Élysée Palace with him when he became president. They separated in 2014. Trierweiler later wrote a book about her experiences.

In June 2022, Hollande married actress Julie Gayet in Tulle, France.

Hollande was raised Catholic but later became an agnostic. He now considers himself an atheist, but respects all religions. He is sometimes nicknamed "Flanby," a French dessert, by his critics.

Honours and Awards

Hollande has received many awards and honours from France and other countries. These are often given to heads of state.

French Honours

• Grand Cross of the National Legion of Honour (automatic for presidents)
• Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (automatic for presidents)

International Honours

• Order of the White Eagle (Poland) (Poland)
• Order of Merit of the Italian Republic (Italy)
• National Order of the Lion (Senegal)
• Order of the Southern Cross (Brazil)
• Order of Zayed (United Arab Emirates)
• Order of Muhammad (Morocco)
• Order of Vasco Núñez de Balboa (Panama)
• Order of the Chrysanthemum (Japan)
• Order of the Republic (Tunisia) (Tunisia)
• Order of the White Rose of Finland (Finland)
• Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Germany)
• Grand Collar of the State of Palestine (Palestine)
• National Order of Mali (Mali)
• Order of the White Double Cross (Slovakia)
• Decoration of Honour for Services to the Republic of Austria (Austria)
• Order of Saint-Charles (Monaco)
• Order of Abdulaziz Al Saud (Saudi Arabia)
• Order of the Netherlands Lion (Netherlands)
• Order of Leopold (Belgium) (Belgium)
• Order of the Aztec Eagle (Mexico)
• Order of the Bath (United Kingdom)
• National Order of Niger (Niger)
• National Order of the Ivory Coast (Ivory Coast)
• Order of Glory (Armenia) (Armenia)
• National Order of Quebec (Canada)
• National Order of Merit (Guinea) (Guinea)
• Royal Order of the Seraphim (Sweden)
• Order of the Gold Lion of the House of Nassau (Luxembourg)
• Order of Isabella the Catholic (Spain)
• National Order of Benin (Benin)
• Order of the Redeemer (Greece)
• Order of Friendship (Kazakhstan) (Kazakhstan)
• Order of the Sun of Peru (Peru)
• Order of the Liberator General San Martín (Argentina)
• Order of Central African recognition (Central African Republic)
• Medal of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay (Uruguay)
• Order of Liberty (Portugal)
• Order of the Star of Romania (Romania)
• Order of Boyaca (Colombia)
• Order of Liberty (Ukraine) (Ukraine)

Key to the City

• Manila: Freedom of the City of Manila (Philippines)

Books by Hollande

Hollande has written several books, often about politics and his experiences. Some of them include:

• The Hour of Choices. For a Political Economy (1991)
• The Socialist Idea Today (2001)
• Duties of Truth (2007)
• Rights of Inventory (2009)
• The French Dream (2011)
• A Destiny for France (2012)
• Changing Destiny (2012)
• The Lessons of Power (2018)
• Upheavals: To Understand the New Global Situation (2022)
• Clash (2021)

See also

In Spanish: François Hollande para niños