Geva René

Geva René (née Adam; October 30, 1932

Biography Early life and career René was born Geva Adam in Victoria, Seychelles, on October 30, 1932, to Louis Adam and Angela (née Uzice). The couple had no children together, but France-Albert René treated her three sons as his own. Each of her sons eventually became executives in important entities within the Seychellois tourism industry, including roles at the Island Development Company, Air Seychelles, and the Seychelles Tourism Board.

On June 4–5, 1977, her husband, then Prime Minister France-Albert René overthrew President James Mancham while he was traveling to the United Kingdom. Geva René became the first ever First Lady of Seychelles, as founding President Mancham had been divorced during his presidency.

Geva René focused on issues related to education, children, and children's rights during her tenure as Seychelles' first lady. She was the founder of several charitable organizations, including the National Council for Children (NCC), the Children's Ark, and the President's Village orphanage.

She remained first lady for seventeen years from 1977 until her divorce from President France-Albert René in 1992, becoming the longest-serving first lady in the country's history. She never remarried after her divorce.

Later life René remained active with the National Council for Children (NCC), which she had established as first lady, until her retirement in 2011.

Geva René died on May 11, 2023, at the age of 90.