12:33 – Benoît Payan pays tribute to the one who “loved Marseille so much”
Mayor of Marseille since 2020 after succeeding Jean-Claude Gaudin, Benoît Payan also expressed his sorrow after the announcement of the death of his predecessor. “To the one who loved Marseille, its history and its people so much, I want to pay an emotional and sincere tribute,” he wrote. And added: “This city will miss him. His mark will remain.”
Jean-Claude Gaudin seemed unsinkable. His departure saddens me greatly. To the one who loved Marseille, its history and its people so much, I want to pay an emotional and sincere tribute. This city will miss him. His trace will remain. pic.twitter.com/miKzTnQxfI
— Benoît Payan (@BenoitPayan) May 20, 2024
12:29 – Martine Vassal’s sentence
Current president of the Aix-Marseille metropolis, Martine Vassal expressed her “immense sorrow” on X at the announcement of the death of Jean-Claude Gaudin. The one who considered the former mayor of Marseille as “a father” praised the memory of a man with “an enormous heart”.
Jean-Claude Gaudin was like a father to me, everyone knows it but I want to write it.
A great statesman, an unforgettable Mayor of Marseille in our two thousand year old history, and above all a man with an enormous heart.
My pain is immense. pic.twitter.com/SMuGUBkPZx
— Martine Vassal (@MartineVassal) May 20, 2024
12:11 – “Immense sadness”
On
On this Pentecost Monday, I learned of the death of Jean-Claude Gaudin, and am struck with immense sadness.
I clearly recognize his complicity with the Lord, he who was so Christian, to leave on such a holy, so sacred day!
Peace to his soul, and thought for all his loved ones.… pic.twitter.com/dtBMP41g00
— Renaud Muselier (@RenaudMuselier) May 20, 2024
12:02 – First political setback in 1983
The year 1983 will be marked by Jean-Claude Gaudin’s first political setback. While he had the desire to run for mayor of Marseille, the man who was then still a deputy failed against his mentor at the time, Gaston Deferre, also Minister of the Interior.
A failure far from discouraging the politician, who in 1986 became president of the PACA regional council. A position at the head of which he remained until 1998.
12:01 – Elected deputy in 1978
Candidate in the second constituency of Bouche-du-Rhône for the UDF, Jean-Claude Gaudin was elected deputy in 1978. Taking his place in the Palais Bourbon, the politician remained there until 1989.
11:59 – First term in 1965
The only son of a mason and a worker, Jean-Claude Gaudin was born in Mazargues, in the 9th arrondissement of Marseille. Dreaming since his childhood of becoming a senator, the man who was then a history and geography professor was elected municipal councilor of Marseille at the age of 26 on the social-centrist list then led by Gaston Defferre.
11:52 – A man with multiple mandates
A politician known to everyone, Jean-Claude Gaudin was notably one of the figures of Marseille politics. Municipal councilor, deputy, president of the South region, senator, and of course mayor of Marseille, he had devoted a large part of his life to his political career.
11:50 – Emmanuel Macron pays a first tribute
On X, Emmanuel Macron wanted to pay tribute to the politician. “From his city, his passion, he had the accent, the fever, the fraternity,” said the head of state.
Jean-Claude Gaudin is no more. He was Marseille made man. From his city, his passion, he had the accent, the fever, the fraternity. For her, this child from Mazargues had risen to the highest positions in the Republic which he served. I think of his loved ones and the people of Marseille.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 20, 2024
11:46 – Mayor of Marseille for 25 years
An essential figure in Marseille, Jean-Claude Gaudin had been at the head of the city for nearly 25 years before giving up his place in 2020. He then retired from political life after accumulating several mandates during his life.
11:44 – Jean-Claude Gaudin died at 84
A politician known to everyone in the Marseille city, Jean-Claude Gaudin died this Monday, May 20 at the age of 84.