Genevieve de Fontenay, the iconic figure in France's Miss France pageant, passed away at the age of 90, according to her family. Known as the "Lady in the Hat," de Fontenay was a symbol of feminine chic and elegance for decades, leading the Miss France committee and serving as its president for over 25 years. Her signature brimmed hats and black and white outfits made her instantly recognizable and a prime example of Parisian glamour.

However, de Fontenay's conservative social views often clashed with modern perspectives on women and gender. She attempted to strip Miss France winner Valerie Begue of her title for posing in suggestive photos and was accused of racism towards another winner, Isabelle Turpault. De Fontenay voiced her opposition to two-piece bathing suits and criticized advertising that objectified women.

After leaving the Miss France pageant, de Fontenay started her own rival pageant, Miss Prestige Nationale, in 2010. She continued to court controversy by expressing transphobic views and protesting against same-sex marriage. Despite her controversial views, de Fontenay remained a figure of popular culture in France. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne described her as a woman of character who embodied elegance and a certain image of what France should be. President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged her enduring popularity and the affection she won from millions of French citizens.

Born in Longwy, France, de Fontenay came from a well-to-do family and voted for left-of-center political candidates. In 2004, she was immortalized in the Parisian wax museum Musee Grevin. De Fontenay's legacy is a complex one, as she represented both traditional values and an outdated perspective in modern society. Nevertheless, her impact on the Miss France pageant and her enduring image as the "Lady in the Hat" will be remembered.