Chantal Biya
Chantal Biya in Washington, 2014
First Lady of Cameroon
Assumed role
23 April 1994
PresidentPaul Biya
Preceded byJeanne-Irène Biya (1992)
Personal details
Born
Chantal Pulchérie Vigouroux

(1969-12-04) 4 December 1969
Dimako, East Province, Cameroon
Spouse
​
(m. 1994)​
Children2
Parent(s)Georges Vigouroux
Rosette Ndongo Mengolo

Chantal Biya (née Chantal Pulchérie Vigouroux; born 4 December 1969) is the first lady of Cameroon.

Early life

Chantal Biya and Laura Bush after a coffee in the White House's Yellow Oval Room, 2003.

Chantal Biya was born in Dimako, East Province, Cameroon.[1] Her father was French expatriate Georges Vigouroux and her mother, Miss Doumé pageant winner, Rosette Ndongo Mengolo. Her mother was elected mayor of Bangou following the July 2007 municipal elections.[2] She spent her adolescence in Yaoundé.[3]

Philanthropy

First Ladies in 2008

She established the Fondation Chantal Biya in 1994,[4] and hosted the inaugural First Ladies Summit in Yaoundé in 1996;[5] the Jeunesse active pour Chantal Biya is an organ of her husband's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement.[6]

Corruption

Paul and Chantal Biya's corruption and the theft of national assets of Cameroon has been well-documented. With her son Franck, she purchased apartments in Paris despite no visible income. U.S. diplomatic cables also confirm endemic corruption in Cameroon, which reportedly amounted to more than $650 million between 2017 and 2022.[7]

Bertrand Teyou

In November 2010, Bertrand Teyou published a book, La belle de la république bananière : Chantal Biya, de la rue au palais (English: "The Belle of the Banana Republic: Chantal Biya, from the Streets to the Palace"),[8] tracing Biya's rise from humble origins to become First Lady.[9][10] He was subsequently given a two-year prison term on charges of "insult to character" and organising an "illegal demonstration" for attempting to hold a public reading.[9][10] Amnesty International and PEN International's Writers in Prison Committee both protested his arrest and issued appeals on his behalf; Amnesty International also named him a prisoner of conscience.[10][11] He was freed in April 2011 when a well wisher agreed to pay his fine in order that he might seek treatment for his worsening health.[12]

Personal life

Obamas with Chantal and Paul Biya in 2009
Chantal Biya receiving greetings from Mrs. Cecile Oyono in 2012

She married Paul Biya, who is 36 years her senior, on 23 April 1994, after his first wife, Jeanne-Irène Biya, died in 1992.[13][9]

Chantal Biya with Michelle Obama in 2014
Paul and Chantal Biya aboard the presidential vehicle at Stadium Olembé, 2022

She has twin sons Franck and Patrick Hertz (born 1987) with her first husband.[14] With Paul Biya, she has two children: Paul Jr. and Anastasia Brenda.[15]

Chantal Biya is also known for her elaborate hairstyles.[9][16] Her signature style is called the banane, and is used for formal occasions.[17] Biya has popularised other styles; collectively, they are known as the Chantal Biya.[18] She is also known for her exotic wardrobe. Among her favourite designers are high-end European labels such as Chanel, Dior and Louis Vuitton.[9]

References

  1. ↑ G'nowa (2008).
  2. ↑ F. (2007).
  3. ↑ Morikang (2008).
  4. ↑ Fondation Chantal BIYA [Chantal Biya Foundation] (in French), Yaoundé, Cameroon: Synergies Africaines contre le SIDA et les Souffrances, archived from the original on 12 June 2015, Créée en 1994 par Madame Chantal BIYA, Epouse du Président de la République du Cameroun, la Fondation Chantal BIYA est une association humanitaire, apolitique, non-confessionnelle et à but non-lucratif.
  5. ↑ Ibrahim (2003), p. 17.
  6. ↑ Ngwane (2004), p. 17.
  7. ↑ "INVESTIGATION: How internationally connected Cameroon elites plundered $656 million". 7 July 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  8. ↑ Teyou (2010).
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 Lees (2014).
  10. 1 2 3 Mitchell (2011a).
  11. ↑ "Urgent Action: Cameroonian writer held in harsh conditions". Amnesty International. 12 April 2011.
  12. ↑ Mitchell (2011b).
  13. ↑ 2004 Presidential elections: Paul Biya's Biography, Republic of Cameroon, archived from the original on 30 September 2007, Paul BIYA has been married since 23 April 1994 to Chantal BIYA, after the passing away of his first wife on 29 July 1992.
  14. ↑ Chantal Biya's son, Franck Hertz, proves his business credentials, africaintelligence.com. Accessed 2 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "Cameroon: President Paul Biya's daughter, Brenda Biya hit back haters for her big eyes", devdiscourse.com. Accessed 2 January 2024.
  16. ↑ Andrews-Dyer (2014).
  17. ↑ Nyamnjoh, Durham & Fokwang (2002), p. 113
  18. ↑ Nyamnjoh, Durham & Fokwang (2002), p. 117

Bibliography

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