A cultural figure has passed away... Frédéric Mitterrand, former Minister of Culture under Nicolas Sarkozy, died on March 21, 2024 at the age of 76, leaving behind him an indelible cultural and artistic legacy."The former Minister of Culture passed away on Thursday March 21 at his home in Paris," explains a very simple statement released by the family. It goes on to say that hehad been "battling aggressive cancer for several months".
Born in Paris on August 21, 1947, into a family with close ties to French politics, Frédéric Mitterrand quickly distinguished himself through his passion for cinema and the arts. A graduate of Science Po Paris, he began his career as a cinema exhibitor with the Olympic in Paris's 14th arrondissement, a venue that became emblematic for showing the works of such major filmmakers as Bergman, Kurosawa and Ozu. This initiative marked the start of a long and prolific career in culture and the visual arts.
His transition to television as a host and producer revealed to the general public a unique character with an inimitable style and elocution, notably through the program Etoiles et toiles on TF1, then on Antenne 2 with Du côté de chez Fred and other programs that marked the 80s and 90s. His commitment to creation and cultural dissemination led him to make documentaries and films, and to write, including La Mauvaise vie, an autobiography that provoked strong reactions with its uninhibited treatment of his homosexuality and personal reflections.
In 2009, under President Nicolas Sarkozy, Frédéric Mitterrand was appointed Minister of Culture, a position that enabled him to defend and promote French culture in all its diversity. During his tenure, he tackled major challenges such as the Hadopi law, supported large-scale projects like the Mucem in Marseille and the Philharmonie in Paris, and engaged in sometimes stormy dialogues with the intermittents du spectacle. This period of his life testifies to his unwavering commitment to culture and his desire to make it accessible to all.
The tributes that have been pouring in since the announcement of his death underline the affection and respect he enjoyed among his contemporaries, including Jack Lang, who praised"his keen intelligence, his caustic humor, his infinite tenderness and his rare kindness". Frédéric Mitterrand will be remembered as a man of elegance and passion, and a staunch defender of French culture.
