Adm. Philippe de Gaulle, the oldest child of the French wartime leader and former president Charles de Gaulle, passed away at the age of 102 in Paris. His death was confirmed by the Élysée Palace, the seat of the French presidency.
Despite spending his life in the shadow of his father, Admiral de Gaulle had an illustrious record in the French Resistance and a distinguished military career. He fought in World War II, personally received the surrender of German troops in Paris, and participated in battles of the Liberation. He later became a naval pilot and served in France’s wars in Indochina and Algeria.
Admiral de Gaulle was the custodian of his father’s memory and revealed his human side in a best-selling book in 2003. He maintained the family’s characteristic stoicism, even recalling moments of emotional distance from his father.
Born in 1921 to Charles de Gaulle and Yvonne de Gaulle, Philippe insisted on a military career against his father’s wishes. Despite not receiving the Resistance’s highest honor, he continued to serve his country and was elected as a senator in 1986.
Admiral de Gaulle is survived by his four sons and his late wife, Henriette de Gaulle. In an interview after reaching 100, he expressed a wish to give some of his longevity to his father. His legacy as the son of a French hero will be remembered for generations to come.
