Timeline
Born Chantal Pulchérie Vigouroux on 4 December.
Twin sons Franck and Patrick Hertz born.
Married Paul Biya on 23 April.
Began serving as First Lady of Cameroon.
Established the Fondation Chantal Biya.
Hosted the inaugural First Ladies Summit in Yaoundé.
Mother, Rosette Ndongo Mengolo, elected mayor of Bangou.
Bertrand Teyou published a book about her, leading to his arrest.
Biography
Chantal Biya (née Chantal Pulchérie Vigouroux), born on 4 December 1970, is a Cameroonian public figure who has served as the First Lady of Cameroon since 1994, as the wife of President Paul Biya. She established the Fondation Chantal Biya in 1994 and hosted the inaugural First Ladies Summit in Yaoundé in 1996. Known for her elaborate hairstyles, such as "the banane," and her preference for designer fashion, she has also faced documented accusations of corruption and the theft of national assets, including purchasing apartments in Paris without visible income.
Early Life & Background
Chantal Biya was born in Dimako, East Province, Cameroon. Her father was French expatriate Georges Vigouroux, and her mother, Rosette Ndongo Mengolo, was a Miss Doumé pageant winner who was later elected mayor of Bangou in 2007. Chantal spent her adolescence in Yaoundé. She married Paul Biya on 23 April 1994, following the death of his first wife. She has twin sons, Franck and Patrick Hertz, born in 1987, from her first marriage, and two children, Paul Jr. and Brenda Biya, with Paul Biya.
Education
Unavailable
Political & Professional Career
Chantal Biya has served as the First Lady of Cameroon since 1994, a role she assumed upon her marriage to President Paul Biya. While not holding a direct elected office, she is a prominent public figure. The Jeunesse active pour Chantal Biya is an organ of her husband's political party, the Cameroon People's Democratic Movement, indicating her association with the political landscape. Her activities as First Lady include philanthropic initiatives and hosting international summits.
Key Achievements & Legacy
Established the Fondation Chantal Biya in 1994., Hosted the inaugural First Ladies Summit in Yaoundé in 1996., Popularised distinct hairstyles, collectively known as "the Chantal Biya."