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Simone Veil (13 July 1927 – 30 June 2017) was a prominent French politician, lawyer, and survivor of the Holocaust. She served as Minister of Health under Presidents Valéry Giscard d'Estaing and François Mitterrand, and was instrumental in advancing women's legal rights in France, most notably through her pivotal role in the 1975 law that legalized abortion in France, known as the "Veil Act" (Loi Veil).

Early Life and Education

Simone Veil was born Simone Jacob in Nice, France, into a Jewish family. In 1944, during World War II, she and her family were arrested by German authorities as part of the Holocaust. Veil, her mother, and one sister were deported to Auschwitz concentration camp, where her mother died. Veil survived the Holocaust and after the war, she studied law and political science at Sciences Po and the University of Paris.

Political Career

Veil's political career began in 1974 when she was appointed as Minister of Health in the government of President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing. As Health Minister, she fought against strong opposition to pass the law legalizing abortion in France. Her advocacy for women's rights did not stop there; she also worked to improve women's health care and family planning services.

In 1979, Veil became the first President of the European Parliament, elected by its members, serving until 1982. She was a member of the Liberal Democrat and Reform Party in Europe and worked on building a more united Europe. Veil returned to French politics in the late 1980s and served as Minister of State and Minister of Health under Prime Minister François Mitterrand.

Legacy

Simone Veil's legacy is marked by her tireless commitment to human rights, particularly women's rights and European integration. She is remembered as a symbol of resilience, having overcome the atrocities of the Holocaust to lead a life dedicated to the service of her country and the betterment of society. In 2008, Veil was elected to the Académie française, becoming the sixth woman to join the institution. She passed away in 2017 and was interred in the Panthéon in Paris, one of the few women to receive this honor, in recognition of her invaluable contributions to France and Europe.

Death and Honors

Simone Veil passed away on 30 June 2017. In recognition of her contributions to French society and her role in advancing European unity, she was given the honor of burial in the Panthéon in Paris, an honor reserved for France's most revered citizens. Her interment in the Panthéon was a testament to her impact on French and European history.

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