Born in Morocco in 1953, Mr de Villepin holds a bachelor’s degree in law and arts, and is a graduate of the Paris Institute of Political Studies and the École nationale d’administration.

Mr de Villepin served as Prime Minister from 2005 to 2007. He began his career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1980, working in the Directorate for African Affairs and at the Centre for Analysis, Forecasting and Strategy. He subsequently held international posts at several embassies, including those in Washington and New Delhi.

From 1995 to 2002, he served as Secretary-General to the President of the Republic; he was subsequently appointed Minister for Foreign Affairs from 2002 to 2004; Minister for the Interior, Internal Security and Local Freedoms from 2004 to 2005; Prime Minister from 2005 to 2007; and a lawyer from 2008 to 2015.

Since 2015, he has been chairman of the consultancy firm Villepin International, and in June 2025, he also became Honorary President of La France Humaniste.

He is the author of numerous books, including historical and political essays, as well as works on literature, poetry and art.