Former First Lady Mitterrand dies

Mitterrand, who was 87, died Monday night

Danielle Mitterrand, a member of the French Resistance and outspoken advocate for human rights who broke the mould as first lady alongside France's first Socialist president, has died.

Mitterrand, who was 87, died Monday night after being taken into Georges Pompidou hospital in Paris for fatigue, said Rita Cristofari, spokeswoman for Mitterrand's foundation France Libertes.

Mitterrand, who often espoused left-leaning causes, was the wife of former French President Francois Mitterrand. He died in 1995 after a 14-year term in office.

For years, Danielle Mitterrand headed France Libertes, a non-profit foundation advocating human rights. She wrote extensively on behalf of Fidel Castro, the Cuban revolution and other Third World causes.