Among Cameroonian women, Biya is famous for her hairstyles. Her signature style is called the banane, and is used for formal occasions. Biya has popularised other styles; collectively, they are known as the Chantal Biya. She is also known because of her exotic wardrobe. Some of her favourite designers include high-end Western labels such as Chanel or Dior.
Background
She was born to French expatriate Georges Vigouroux and Miss Doumé pageant winner Rosette Ndongo Mengolo. Chantal Biya spent her adolescence in Yaoundé.
Career
Her Jeunesse Active pour Chantal Biya is an organ of her husband's Cameroon People's Democratic Movement.
Achievements
Chantal Biya has established several charitable organisations. Among them are African Synergy, which pursues various Human Immunodeficiency Virus/AIDS initiatives, and the Chantal Biya Foundation (French Fondation Chantal Biya).
Interests
design
Connections
a husband:
Paul Biya
She married President Paul Biya on 23 April 1994, after his first wife, Jeanne-Irène Biya, died in 1992.
