François Maurice Adrien Marie Mitterrand was President of France from 1981 to 1995. He was the first left-wing politician to assume the presidency under the Fifth Republic, successfully remaining in office longer than any other republican head of state in French history. Born: October 26, 1916 Died: January 8, 1996 In office: May 21, 1981 – May 17, 1995 Wiki link