Claudine Gbènagnon Talon
Tribute
We see as her counterpart in Benin, Claudine Talon champions women and children's welfare while supporting her two children with the same commitment to opportunity that guides her foundation's work. Beyond her national platform, we honour the clean water initiatives championed publicly and the emotional wellbeing nurtured privately, the educational access expanded nationally and the learning environment created domestically. We see the leader who measures her country's health by the same metrics she measures her family's: wellbeing, opportunity, and hope.
Profile
Claudine Gbènagnon Talon is the First Lady of Benin, assuming the role in 2016 after the inauguration of her husband, President Patrice Talon. Born in 1956 in Porto-Novo, she studied economics and computer science at the University of Dakar. She later joined her husband in the packaging and agricultural inputs supply business, contributing to the growth of their company into one of Benin’s largest private enterprises. Their ventures expanded into the food industry, making a significant impact on the national economy. Beyond her business contributions, Claudine is a devoted mother of two and a passionate advocate for social development. She founded the Claudine Talon Foundation, which focuses on improving the lives of women and children in Benin through better access to clean water, education, and healthcare. Through her foundation, she continues to champion initiatives that empower vulnerable communities and promote sustainable development across the country.