Charles de Gaulle

Charles de Gaulle was born to Henri and Jeanne de Gaulle in Lille, France. His father was a teacher and his family held strong patriotic and Catholic values.

De Gaulle began his military education at the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr, one of France's most prestigious military academies, where he excelled and developed his leadership skills.

Charles de Gaulle graduated from the École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr with the rank of sub-lieutenant and was assigned to an infantry regiment, marking the beginning of his military career.

During the Battle of Verdun, de Gaulle was wounded and captured by German forces. He spent the next two and a half years as a prisoner of war, during which he attempted to escape several times.

Charles de Gaulle married Yvonne Vendroux in April 1921. The couple went on to have three children and remained married until de Gaulle's death in 1970.

De Gaulle published his influential book 'The Army of the Future,' advocating for modern military strategies, including the use of armored divisions and mechanized warfare, which were ahead of their time.

During the early stages of World War II, de Gaulle was appointed Under-Secretary for National Defense and War in the French government, where he advocated for continued resistance against the German invasion.

In a historic broadcast from London, de Gaulle called on the French people to resist the Nazi occupation and continue the fight for France's liberation, marking the beginning of the Free French Forces.

Amid political crisis, de Gaulle was invited to form a government and became Prime Minister of France. He later led the country through a constitutional crisis and the establishment of the Fifth Republic.

Charles de Gaulle was elected the first President of the Fifth Republic, serving two terms until 1969. His presidency was marked by significant domestic and international reforms, including decolonization and a strong independent foreign policy.

Charles de Gaulle died of a heart attack at his home in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises. He was buried in the local churchyard, as he had requested, with a simple and dignified ceremony.