Death of Roland Dumas: Former lawyer and minister under François Mitterrand dies at the age of 101

A political figure is leaving to join the stars. This Wednesday, July 3, Le Figaro announced the death of Roland Dumas. The renowned lawyer and former minister under François Mitterrand died at the age of 101.

François Mitterrand will have marked the history of France. By becoming President of the Republic from 1981 to 1995, the politician, who had been affected by prostate cancer, succumbed to the disease in January 1996. He left behind a nephew, Frédéric Mitterrand. But, on March 21, 2023, the latter died at the age of 76, also struck by cancer. The one who served as Minister of Culture, was particularly known for the shows he hosted for many years on television.

This Wednesday, July 3, our colleagues from Figaro learn that Roland Dumas, a key figure on the political scene, has died at the age of 101. A great lawyer and editor for press agencies, he is best known for having been a minister under the presidency of François Mitterrand and president of the Constitutional Council.

Roland Dumas: a career strewn with pitfalls

Born August 23, 1922 in Limoges, Roland Dumas practiced for many yearsthe position of lawyer, before entering politics. The latter was a member of parliament and then a minister under various left-wing governments. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1984 to 1986, then from 1988 to 1993. The politician played a crucial role in French diplomacyparticularly in relations with Africa and the Middle East. The latter is known to the French for having been a close collaborator of the former President of the Republic, François MitterrandHe also served as President of the Constitutional Council from 1995 to 2000 and as Minister of State.

During his career, Roland Dumas has been involved in several legal casesincluding the Elf case, where he was accused of corruption, but was eventually acquitted on appeal in 2003. The former lawyer, who died on Wednesday, July 3, had three children, two boys and a girl, fruits of his love with his ex-wife, Anne-Marie Lillet.