Bernard Pivot, journalist, writer and famous TV host, died at the age of 89

Big lover of the French languageauthor of numerous works on literature and words, creator of the literary show Apostrophes…The journalist and writer Bernard Pivot has died.

It was his family who made the announcement to Agence France-Presse (AFP), this Monday, May 6, 2024. He had 89 years old.

Two million viewers in front Apostrophes

His face symbolized literature, the French language, but also (sometimes more painfully for some!) spelling and dictation. But in a word: love of words.

Less known to the general public for its career in print media (Progress, Le Figaro, point, The Sunday Journal…), Bernard Pivot, originally from Lyon (Rhône), had especially distinguished himself on the small screen.

It was he who launched the show Apostropheson Antenne 2, in 1974. From January 1975, it was broadcast live every Friday at 9:30 p.m. 75 minutesthe journalist was debating with several guests.

The show brings together up to two million viewers and becomes a sort of reference in the literary world. It will be broadcast until 1990.

Splattered by the affair Matzneff

But, many years later, extracts fromApostrophe are republished by the National Audiovisual Institute (Ina) and cause a lot of harm to Bernard Pivot.

In fact, in March 1990, he had questioned the writer Gabriel Matzneff after the release of his book My loves broken down, in which he praises pedophile practices. The journalist had described the author as a “sex education teacher” and a “collector of pussy”.

In Le FigaroBernard Pivot responded by saying that he had not, at the time, lucidity and strength of character to escape “the excesses of a freedom to which [ses] colleagues from the written press and radios.”

Member of the Goncourt Academy

The general public also knew Bernard Pivot in his capacity as presenter of the show Culture broth.

Broadcast during 10 years (between 1991 and 2001), this current affairs showfocused on literature, cinema and theater (among others) had attracted up to a million viewers despite its late programming (10:40 p.m.).

His passion for the French language also allowed him to open the doors of the Goncourt Academy. He was elected there in October 2004 and even took over as president in 2014 – until 2019.

More information to follow…

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