In a new slip of the tongue, Biden meets a president who died 30 years ago.
François Mitterrand - Wikipedia: Biography
Foundation:
François Mitterrand was born on October 26, 1916 in Jarnac, France.
He grew up in a conservative Catholic family.
He studied at Saint Paul's School in Angoulême.
He studied law at the University of Paris.
He joined the French Resistance movement during World War II.
He became a member of the French Socialist Party in 1947.
He served as Minister of the Interior in the government of Pierre Mendes France in 1954.
He was elected Secretary General of the French Socialist Party in 1971.
He first ran for president in 1965 but was defeated by Charles de Gaulle.
He won the presidential election in 1981 and became the first socialist president of France.
He was re-elected in 1988.
His achievements:
He abolished the death penalty in France.
Provide comprehensive health insurance for all citizens.
He nationalized many major companies.
Helped reunify Germany.
He played a major role in the founding of the European Union.
François Mitterrand died on January 8, 1996 in Paris.
additional information:
He married Daniel Gause in 1944.
He had three children: Pascal (died in infancy), Jean-Christophe, and Gilbert.
Mitterrand was a prolific writer, publishing numerous books and articles.
He was seen as an intelligent and charismatic leader.