Giscard d'Estaing (surname) facts for kids
Giscard d'Estaing is a well-known French family name. One of the most famous people with this name was Valéry Giscard d'Estaing, who was the President of France.
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Valéry Giscard d'Estaing: A French Leader
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing (1926–2020) was a very important person in France. He served as the President of France from 1974 to 1981. The President is the head of the country, similar to a prime minister or a president in other nations. They lead the government, make big decisions, and represent their country to the rest of the world.
Early Life and Education
Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was born in Koblenz, Germany, in 1926. His father was a French official. He grew up in France and was a very bright student. He went to some of France's best schools, like the École Polytechnique and the École Nationale d'Administration (ENA). These schools train people for important jobs in the government. During World War II, he even joined the French army when he was very young.
Becoming President
After finishing his studies, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing started his career in politics. He held several important jobs in the French government before becoming president. He was a member of the French Parliament and also served as the Minister of Economy and Finance. This meant he was in charge of France's money and economic plans. In 1974, he ran for president and won, becoming the youngest president of France at that time.
Key Actions as President
During his time as president, Valéry Giscard d'Estaing worked to modernize France. He introduced several important changes. For example, he lowered the voting age in France from 21 to 18. This meant more young people could vote and have a say in their country's future. He also made it easier for people to get a divorce if they needed to. He was very interested in making Europe work together more closely. He worked with other European leaders to build stronger ties between countries.
Other Notable Family Members
The Giscard d'Estaing family has many other interesting members:
- Anne-Aymone Giscard d'Estaing (born 1933) was the First Lady of France when Valéry Giscard d'Estaing was president.
- Henri Giscard d'Estaing (born 1956) is a French businessman.
- Louis Giscard d'Estaing (born 1958) is a French politician, just like his father.
- Olivier Giscard d'Estaing (born 1927) was also a French politician.
- Guillaume Giscard d'Estaing (born 1958) is a French businessman.
- Aurore Giscard d'Estaing is an illustrator.
