Jacques Chirac drew a tear from his wife, Bernadette, with his strongest hint to date that he plans to end his 42-year political career and retire as French President in May.

In a television interview recorded this week, Mr Chirac, 74, pledged to serve his country “until death” as he talked publicly about stepping down from office for the first time.

The interview for Vivement Dimanche, which will be broadcast on Sunday, left Mrs Chirac in emotional mood.

“The end was a bit sad,” she said, with tears in her eyes, according to French journalists who have seen the recording.

Mr Chirac has yet to announce officially whether he hopes to stand for a third term, but most commentators and politicians believe he will not, saying that he knows the voters want a younger president.

His comments to Michel Drucker, the veteran French interviewer, appear to confirm his intention to step down. “There is, without any doubt, a life after politics,” Mr Chirac said. “Until death.”

“You know, I am not one to live in the past. I have always tried to serve the French people. If I do not have responsibilities of this nature, well, I will try to serve France in another capacity,” he said.

Mrs Chirac also appeared resigned to leaving the Elysée, the sumptuous 18th-century palace near the Champs Elysées, in Central Paris, which has been home to French presidents for 150 years.

“I’ll miss this house a lot, but I’ll adapt,” she said. “One has to accept what fate decides.”

Nicolas Sarkozy, the man often described as Mr Chirac’s spiritual son, is campaigning to succeed him as president and wants him to confirm his retirement as soon as possible.

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