PARIS, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Bernadette Chirac, the widow of former French President Jacques Chirac, passed away on Friday evening at the age of 93, French media reported Saturday.

On Saturday morning, French President Emmanuel Macron posted a message on X paying tribute, describing her as a "great lady of heart" who "left her mark on our history alongside President Jacques Chirac."

As first lady, Bernadette was popular among the French people for her charity work for sick children. She was also the only French first lady to have held elected office, according to French media, as a general councillor in the Correze department from 1979 to 2015.

Jacques Chirac, who died in 2019, was described as an old friend of the Chinese people. Bernadette Chirac was on his side during the president's several visits to China. ■