Name Helene Casimir-Perier | ||
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Hélène Casimir-Perier (1854–1912) was a first lady of France in 1894–1895. She was married to President Jean Casimir-Perier.
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Biography
Hélène Perier-Vitet was born in Grosley-sur-Risle in Eure. She married Jean Casimir-Perier, a distant cousin, on 17 April 1873. He was the grandson of Casimir Pierre Périer, president of the Council of Ministers under Louis Philippe I. Her influence on him was strong; she was the driving force behind his run for the presidency.
Wife of the President of the Republic
The presidential couple, Jean and Hélène, and their two children Claude and Germaine, moved into the Élysée Palace from the family home, Château de Vizille, on 27 June 1894. Jean Casimir-Perier resigned just seven months after coming to power, giving him the shortest presidency in the history of the French Republic. His wife did not welcome the news of his resignation. She told him, "If you had consulted me, I would have prevented you from such foolishness!" (French: Si vous m'aviez consultée, je vous aurais empêché de faire une telle sottise!) to which he responded, "That's why I did not tell you." (French: C'est bien pourquoi je ne vous ai rien dit.)