This October 8, 2024, marks eighth birthday of the death of Pierre Tchernia, an emblematic figure of French cinema and television, died in 2016 at the age of 88.
The end of Pierre Tchernia’s life far from the media
Although his career spans almost 60 years oldhis last years, spent in a retirement home, were marked by declining health, as pointed out by Yves Calvi, who spoke of a man “gnawed” by his condition.
Pierre Tchernia, infirm and suffering from reduced mobility, lived his last days far from the excitement of the television sets which had marked his career. Journalist Yves Calvi shared his news in the pages of VSD in 2015, testifying to his friend’s optimism despite his condition: “I got him recently, and also in February… Honestly, he’s fine. Except thathe no longer has mobilityand this is what eats away at him the most.“Pierre, aware of his limitations, regretted no longer being able to visit his friends.
In response to rumors concerning his condition, Pierre Tchernia corrected the situation in October 2013, stating: “I am in no way abandoned but, on the contrary, very surrounded by my family and loved ones. At almost 86 years old, I simply aspire to calm and respect for my privacy. It is for this reason that I stay away from the media“. He also admitted with humor his difficulties: “My hip problems are not getting better as I get older. Yes, it must be said: I am crippled.“
20 years alone after the disappearance of his wife
Born on January 29, 1928, Pierre Tchernia left an indelible mark on the small screen, from the invention of television news in the 1950s to the creation of emblematic shows. His death was a hard blow. Michel Drucker declared: “Pierre Tchernia is the last television giant to disappear.” Gilles Jacob, former president of the Cannes festival, added that “the disappearance of Monsieur Cinéma brings sadness to cinephilia“. He was buried in Névez, alongside his wife Françoise, who died in 1997. For nearly 20 years, he had to deal with solitude, despite the support of his four children. In a poignant interview, he confided that the worst moment of his life was the loss of his wife: “The death of my wife, of course. It was really very painful.”
