Charles de Gaulle Family Tree: The Story Behind France's WWII General-President

Charles André Joseph Marie de Gaulle (1890–1970), born 22 November 1890 in Lille, France, and died 9 November 1970 in Colombey-les-Deux-Églises, was the French general and statesman who led Free France during WWII and founded the Fifth French Republic as President (1959–1969).

The Family's Roots: A Catholic Bourgeois French Family

The de Gaulle family is Catholic French from Lille and Paris.

His Parents

Father: Henri de Gaulle (1848–1932) — professor of literature and philosophy.

Mother: Jeanne Maillot (1860–1940) — homemaker.

His Siblings

Xavier de Gaulle (1887–1955) — elder brother.

Marie-Agnès Cailliau (1889–1982) — elder sister.

Jacques de Gaulle (1893–1946) — younger brother.

Pierre de Gaulle (1897–1959) — youngest brother.

His Wife: Yvonne Vendroux

Yvonne Vendroux (1900–1979) — married Charles on 6 April 1921.

Their Children

Philippe de Gaulle, born 28 December 1921, died 13 March 2024 at 102 — son; admiral, senator.

Élisabeth de Boissieu, born 15 May 1924, died 2 April 2013 — daughter; married General Alain de Boissieu.

Anne de Gaulle (1928–1948) — daughter with Down syndrome; died at 20.

The de Gaulle Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Henri de Gaulle (1848–1932) — professor.

Mother: Jeanne Maillot (1860–1940).

Siblings: Xavier (1887–1955); Marie-Agnès (1889–1982); Jacques (1893–1946); Pierre (1897–1959).

Wife: Yvonne Vendroux (1900–1979; m. 6 April 1921).

Children: Philippe (1921–2024) — admiral; Élisabeth (1924–2013); Anne (1928–1948).

Grandchildren include Charles de Gaulle (jr.) — French politician, EU MEP.

Charles de Gaulle:

  • Born 22 November 1890, Lille
  • Saint-Cyr Military Academy (1908–1912)
  • WWI: wounded 3 times; POW for 2 years and 8 months
  • Wrote The Edge of the Sword (1932), Vers l'armée de métier (1934)
  • WWII: Free French leader from London (June 1940); BBC speech L'Appel du 18 juin
  • Provisional President of France: 1944–1946
  • Prime Minister: 1958–1959
  • President of the Fifth Republic: 8 January 1959 — 28 April 1969
  • Resigned after losing a 1969 referendum
  • Died: 9 November 1970, Colombey-les-Deux-Églises — heart attack at 79

What the de Gaulle Family Story Teaches Us

A Catholic professor father. A homemaker mother. Four siblings. A 50-year marriage to Yvonne. Three children, including a daughter with Down syndrome lost at 20 and an admiral son who lived to 102. A career that twice saved France's republican order.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the de Gaulle story carries the same lesson. Some careers shape a country's constitution.

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