Philippe Mestre facts for kids
Philippe Mestre was an important French person who worked in government, managed newspapers, and was a politician. He was born in Talmont-Saint-Hilaire, France, on August 23, 1927. He passed away in the same town on April 25, 2017, at the age of 89.
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A Career in Public Service
Philippe Mestre had a long and important career serving the public in France. He held several key positions in the government.
What is a Prefect?
One of his main roles was being a prefect. A prefect is like a top government representative in a region or department in France. They help manage local government and make sure national laws are followed. Mestre served as a prefect in several areas, including Gers, Basse-Normandie, Calvados, Pays de la Loire, and Loire-Atlantique.
Leading a Newspaper
Besides his government roles, Philippe Mestre also worked in the media. He was the chief executive of Presse-Océan, a newspaper company. He led this company for many years, from 1981 to 1993.
Serving in Parliament
Philippe Mestre was also a politician. He was elected to the French National Assembly, which is like the main parliament in France. He represented the Vendée region, where he was born. He served as a member of the National Assembly from 1981 to 1993.
Helping Veterans
Later in his career, Mestre took on a very special role. From 1993 to 1995, he was the Minister of Veteran Affairs and War Victims. In this job, he was responsible for helping people who had served in the military and those affected by war.
Awards and Recognition
For his dedication and service to France, Philippe Mestre received high honors. He was a commander of the Legion of Honour, which is France's highest award. He was also an officer of the National Order of Merit, another important French award. These awards show how much his country valued his work.
