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michele bennett
Jean Claude Duvalier and Michele Bennett on the way to exile
Here is a picture of Former Haitian Dictator Jean Claude Duvalier and wife Michele Bennett Duvalier as they are leaving Haiti on their way to their exile in France
Furor Erupts over Duvalier Funeral Plans
A citizens' activist group is against deceased former dictator Jean-Claude Duvalier being honored with a state funeral. They have begun a petition to stop Martelly from following protocol that necessitates a former president be given national honors.
The petitioners find holding a state funeral for Jean-Claude the white washing of ". . . the legacy of Duvalier's regime, and . . . of his father . . . Francois . . . Duvalier before him . . ."
Michele Bennett Duvalier
This is a picture of former Haiti First Lady Michele Bennett
The first few years of her marriage, Bennett was regarded in good favor by her countrymen and international personalities such as Mother Teresa, who visited the island and was impressed by how familiar the poor were with the first lady who would show up at public places to meet with the people, taking her husband along. Her influence became such that she was widely regarded as being the actual ruling head, it often being commented that while her husband slept through official meetings, she was alert and would even berate ministers in his stead.
All this benevolence changed later, and the corruption of the ruling family became the stuff of international rags and legitimate news. Bennett's father was thought to be using his political ties to bolster his businesses, her brother was arrested for drug trafficking, and the First Lady herself was accused of trafficking drugs on Air Haiti. In 1983, Pope John Paul II visited and declared that things had to change. Three years later, the family was forced to flee the country, where rebellion over the rule of the Duvalier family was growing. They would eventually settle in France, with Michele only returning to Haiti periodically.
Jean Claude Duvalier and Michele Bennett
A Picture of Jean Claude Duvalier and Michele Bennett
Michele Bennett, Haiti's most stylish First Lady, lived the life to which she was always accustomed. Born in 1950 to wealthy parents, her father being a descendant of the King of Haiti, Henry Christophe, Michele was privileged with an education in New York, a prominent job as a secretary at a time when black women were seen doing mainly domestic work, and a first marriage to a Tuskegee Airman. But her 1973 marriage to her first husband would end 5 years later, and Bennett would marry the President of Haiti, Jean-Claude Duvalier in 1980 to become Haiti's own version of Marie Antoinette.
Michele Bennett at the Wake of Jean Claude Duvalier
Here is a picture of Former Haitian First Lady Michele Bennett. She is seeing here in Port-au-Prince after a long time of absence. She was attending the wake of her former husband Jean Claude Duvalier
Former Haitian First Lady Michele, the Power behind the Throne
Jean-Claude Duvalier, Haiti's bloodthirsty tyrant, married high school sweetheart Michele Bennett, making her First Lady of Haiti. She ingratiated herself with the public initially, but later developed a reputation for greed and corruption. She also wielded political power beyond her husband's abilities to get things done.
Michele gave Duvalier two children, a boy and a girl. After a 15-year rule, Duvalier and she fled to France where they eventually divorced.
Michele Bennett at the Funeral of Jean Claude Duvalier
Here is the former Haitian First Lady Michele Bennett comforting a very close friend of the family during the funeral of former Haitian President Jean Claude Duvalier. The funeral which was a private ceremony in Port-au-Prince, Haiti took place on October 11, 2014.
The entire family was present, including Nicholas and Anya Duvalier
The Haitian government did not send representative to the funeral. The Haitian society got involved into a debate before the funeral as to the type of funeral to give to the former Dictator. At the end, it was decided that he would not receive either a National or Official one.
The Presidential Family Michele Bennett And Jean Claude Duvalier
Here is a photo of The Presidential Family Michele Bennett And Jean Claude Duvalier.
Born in the family of Ernest Bennett the famous Haitian businessman in 1950, Michele Bennett at one point was the secretary of garment district. She was known for being a very bright child while in school
Jean-Claude Duvalier And Michele Bennett
In this picture, you see Jean-Claude Duvalier marriage with Michele Bennett Pasquet, mulato, - Michele Bennett first husband: Alix Pasquet.
Jean-Claude Duvalier and Michele Bennett divorced in 1993 and as a result of this divoce, he lost most of his fortune. He lived modestly in exile