Simone Veil, revered French champion of women's rights and Auschwitz survivor, has been invested as an "immortal" of the prestigious Académie Française.Simone Veil, revered French champion of women's rights and Auschwitz survivor, was on Thursday invested as an "immortal" of France's most prestigious intellectual club, the Académie Française. The solemn ceremony was attended by two former heads of state and the current French president. The 82-year-old former French minister ranks among the country's most respected politicians and is famous for legalising abortion in the 70s.
Simone Veil, revered French champion of women's rights and Auschwitz survivor, was on Thursday invested as an "immortal" of France's most prestigious intellectual club, the Académie Française.
The solemn ceremony was attended by two former heads of state and the current French president.
The 82-year-old former French minister ranks among the country's most respected politicians and is famous for legalising abortion in the 70s.
By tradition, all academicians wear a green, braided uniform and cocked hat and carry a ceremonial sword. Ms Veil's uniform was designed for her by Karl Lagerfeld of Chanel. Her sword was, at her insistence, engraved with the Auschwitz camp number, 78651, which is still tattooed on her wrist.
