Holocaust survivor and ex-European parliament leader Veil joins revered Academie Francaise

Holocaust survivor Veil joins Academie Francaise

PARIS — Simone Veil, a French political icon who survived Nazi death camps and went on to lead Europe’s joint parliament, is joining the prestigious Academie Francaise.

Three French presidents — Nicolas Sarkozy and predecessors Jacques Chirac and Valery Giscard d’Estaing — will be present for the ceremony inducting Veil into the academy. She is 82.

Veil spearheaded the battle to legalize abortion in France and served as government minister.

Considered a leading moral authority and one of France’s most popular politicians, Veil joins a venerable institution considered the guardian of the French language.

The academy has 40 members. Veil is the sixth woman to join the academy since it was founded by Cardinal Richelieu in 1635.