Tsiranana was born Justine Kalotody. Originally a seamstress descending from the first translator of the Evangile in Tsimihety language, she married Philibert Tsiranana on January 29, 1933, in a Catholic wedding ceremony in the village of Antsirabe, Mandritsara District.[2] In addition to her role as the country's first First Lady from 1960 to 1972, Tisranana served as the honorary president of the Red Cross of Madagascar.[2][3]
Justine Tsiranana died in July 1999 at the age of 81.[3]
The award-winning red rose variety “Madame Tsiranana” was created in her honour by French rose nurser Paul Croix in 1970.[4]