General Charles de Gaulle died of a heart attack. De Gaulle was a wartime hero and former president of France and is seen as one of the greatest leaders France ever had as he was a leading member of the resistance movement against German rule in World War II. As president, Charles de Gaulle ended the political chaos and violence that preceded his return to power. De Gaulle retired in 1969, but remains the most influential leader in modern French history. __