Jean Chretien — but was seldom heard. At least not publicly.Behind the scenes though, she was Chretien’s confidante and most trusted adviser, his “Rock of Gibraltar,” as he always called her.Aline Chretien died surrounded by family Saturday morning at her home in Shawinigan, Que., a family spokesman said Sunday.
She was 84. A cause of death was not specified. Chretien says Trudeau is ‘prime minister for all Canadians’ in face of western alienation “Prime Minister Chretien, I think, would be the first to say that without her he never would have been prime minister,” says long-time Chretien aide Eddie Goldenberg.“She knew very well that she had not been elected herself so she didn’t try to take the limelight.