# Philippe Pétain

_French military and political leader (1856–1951)_

Canonical: https://diginpl.com/people/philippe-petain
Last updated: 2026-11-04

> Henri Philippe Benoni Omar Joseph Pétain, also known as Marshal Pétain, was a French military officer, dictator, and politician who commanded the French Army in World War I and later became the head of the Axis-collaborationist regime of Vichy France, from 1940 to 1944, during World War II.

## Quick facts

- **Born:** 24 April 1856 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P569))
- **Place of birth:** Cauchy-à-la-Tour ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P19))
- **Died:** 23 July 1951 ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P570))
- **Place of death:** Port-Joinville ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P20))
- **Citizenship:** France ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P27))
- **Occupation:** politician; diplomat; military officer; military personnel; marshal ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P106))
- **Political party:** independent politician ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P102))
- **Education:** École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P69))
- **Spouse:** Annie Pétain ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P26))
- **Positions held:** Head of State of Vichy France (11 July 1940 – 20 August 1944); French co-prince of Andorra (11 July 1940 – 20 August 1944); President of the Council (16 June 1940 – 17 April 1942); Deputy Prime Minister of France (18 May 1940 – 16 June 1940); ambassador of France to Spain (2 March 1939 – 16 May 1940); Minister of State (1 June 1935 – 4 June 1935); Minister of War (9 February 1934 – 8 November 1934); Member of the Académie française (20 June 1929 – 15 August 1945); vice president (1920–1931) ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P39))
- **Awards:** Order of the White Eagle (Second Polish Republic); Médaille militaire; Croix de guerre 1914–1918; Inter-Allied Victory medal (Belgium); Médaille commémorative de la guerre 1914–1918; Colonial Medal; Distinguished Service Medal; Marshal of France; Godfather promotion of Special Military School of Saint-Cyr; Order of St. George, 4th class; Grand Master of the Legion of Honour; Order of the Star of Karađorđe; Cross of Valour; Cross of Liberty; Royal Order of Cambodia ([Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721#P166))

## Questions

**When was Philippe Pétain born?**  
Philippe Pétain was born on 24 April 1856 in Cauchy-à-la-Tour.

**What positions has Philippe Pétain held?**  
Positions held by Philippe Pétain include: Head of State of Vichy France (1940–1944); French co-prince of Andorra (1940–1944); President of the Council (1940–1942); Deputy Prime Minister of France (1940–1940); ambassador of France to Spain (1939–1940).

**Where did Philippe Pétain study?**  
Philippe Pétain was educated at École Spéciale Militaire de Saint-Cyr.

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## Sources

- [Wikipedia (English): Philippe Pétain](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippe_P%C3%A9tain) — [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
- [Wikidata item Q5721](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5721) — [CC0 1.0](https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/)
- [Image: Pétain - portrait photographique.jpg by Imprimerie Draeger à Montrouge en région parisienne (Public domain)](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:P%C3%A9tain_-_portrait_photographique.jpg)

## Licence and attribution

Text from the Wikipedia article Philippe Pétain, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Pétain - portrait photographique.jpg — Imprimerie Draeger à Montrouge en région parisienne, Public domain.

## Cite this page

"Philippe Pétain". DigiNepal. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/philippe-petain. Retrieved 5 November 2026.