Admiral Philippe de Gaulle, the eldest son and only son of General Charles de Gaulle, the first president of the French Fifth Republic, has passed away at the age of 102, in the 103rd year of his life. Philippe de Gaulle, who was also the last surviving child of Charles de Gaulle, had a distinguished career in the French Navy where he served with the Free French Naval Forces after escaping occupied France during World War II. He fought alongside the Royal Navy and was considered a 'living symbol' of the bond between the Royal and French Navies. After retiring from the Navy in 1982, Philippe entered politics, serving as a senator from Paris until 2004. Despite his achievements, Philippe lived much of his life in the shadow of his father, a legendary military and political leader whose name adorns a thousand streets in France. His death marks the end of an era, as he was one of the last Frenchmen to fight side-by-side with the Royal Navy in World War II.
His exploits in World War II and later in Algeria and Indochina were not enough for him emerge from the shadow of his father, Gen. Charles de Gaulle, for whom a thousand streets in France are named. https://t.co/sh3kbZNh6X
What an incredibly humble, generous, and loving thing to say: “Interviewed by Le Figaro after he had reached 100, Mr. de Gaulle said, ‘I would have preferred to give some of my longevity to my father.’” Must have been very hard, being the son of that man. https://t.co/41oJpqU4t7
“The General had a deep fervour throughout his existence, w/great Christian roots, marked among others by the readings of Jacques Maritain & Charles Péguy, & also by the Jesuits. It corresponded to an intimate devotion, to an interiorisation of his faith, that of a being active… https://t.co/wirwbwPbBX
#RIP ADM Philippe de Gaulle who has died at the age of 102. The son of Gen. Charles de Gaulle, he served with the Free French Naval Forces after escaping occupied France. He retired from the French Navy in 1982 and entered politics, serving as a senator from Paris until 2004. https://t.co/ux3lA63lTr
One of the last Frenchmen to fight side-by-side with the Royal Navy in WW2, Philippe de Gaulle – son of the French legendary military and political leader Charles – has died at the age of 102. He was a 'living symbol’ of the bond between the Royal and French Navies.
Philippe de Gaulle, the last surviving child of Charles de Gaulle (also his eldest child and only son), has died age 102: https://t.co/NhXTBnlr0I
Philippe de Gaulle, son of Charles de Gaulle, has died aged 102. His father was the leader of the French Resistance in WWII and later the president of France. Despite a distinguished career, he lived much of his life in his father's shadow. Read more: https://t.co/OEilTCJ3iJ
The eldest son of General Charles de Gaulle has died Admiral Philippe de Gaulle died at the 103rd year of his life. He was the eldest child and only son of General Charles de Gaulle, the first president of the French Fifth Republic, and of his wife, Yvonne. He was the last… https://t.co/v8ZlMNFBa5