In a first life, Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière was a shrewd businessman who made his fortune by taking control of Fitch, the ratings agency. But the dashing boss is not the type to count his millions. So he invented other lives for himself, particularly by developing a passion for primitive art – a gallery in the Quai Branly museum bears his name – by creating Fimalac, a company that invests in live performance, now producing most of the concerts on the French scene.
But Marc Ladreit de la Charrière, at 83, also wants to help young people. So he launched his Culture & Diversity Foundation in 2006, “to give access to the arts and culture to young people from modest backgrounds”, which since 2020 has been under the banner of the Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Foundation and on which he had never spoken until then. The octogenarian and his four children financed the business, with the desire to set up projects intended for this often lost youth. “With three essential pillars,” says the businessman: participate, dialogue and create. Commitment is the natural counterpart of professional success. Having ideas is not enough, you have to act.”
He is a man of heart
Grand Corps Malade
Since its launch, the foundation has helped more than 56,000 children, mainly from the suburbs, thanks in particular to programs intended to prepare them for major schools. “It’s a question of social cohesion,” recalls Ladreit de Lacharière. To advance his cause, Marc, for example, launched the Slam Trophy at school, under the sponsorship of Grand Corps Malade, or the Improv Culture & Diversity Trophy with Jamel Debbouze. “He’s a man with heart,” says Grand Corps Malade. And convictions. Having someone who, in this type of project, keeps their word is a miracle. »
Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière in his office.
Paris Match / © Alexandre Isard
Artists, producers, ministers, no one disputes the essential involvement in recent years of Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière in the craziest and most courageous projects. He counts among his supporters Anne Hidalgo as well as Rachida Dati, Audrey Azoulay as Jack Lang, sparing susceptibilities and ego. He, who was close to Chirac, nevertheless refuses to take any political position. “I’m not a socialist, that’s for sure. The politician does what he can, often with limited means. Fortunately there are guys like me to help, participate…”
François Pinault and Bernard Arnault created museums, I invest differently
Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière
So Marc Ladreit would be a holy man and a benefactor of the arts? It’s hard to find enemies for him, as the gentleman is enjoying this new development in his professional life. “He’s still someone who has a lot of ego,” says a former Fimalac collaborator – under cover of anonymity. But frankly, the world of culture needs patrons like him more than ever.”
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Marc Ladreit de la Charrière refutes comparisons with François Pinault and Bernard Arnault, “They made museums, I invest differently”, but the patron does not blush when we talk to him about its usefulness. “I know where I come from, I know what I owe to the Republic. So yes, I feel like a real duty to never forget it. »
So Marc will continue as long as he can to finance the renovation of the Louvre, to help the Academy of Fine Arts, to be interested in the prize of artistic and cultural audacity. While publishing “La revue des deux mondes” or renovating the Chauvet cave. Insatiable, he will obviously be in the stands of the Stade de France next September to attend the Mylène Farmer concert, produced by Fimalac. “It’s still crazy,” he laughs, “that Thomas Jolly, one of the most popular directors in public theater, came to us to create “Starmania”. And let him be in charge of the Olympic Games ceremonies.” No need to ask the boss what part of his life he prefers. It’s obviously next.
With Jamel Debbouze at the Jamel Comedy Club, in Paris, May 22.
Paris Match / © Alexandre Isard
Paris Match. Where does your transmission need come from?
Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière. From my upbringing, this is nothing original, but I am part of a lineage that has always had strong values. Our desire has always been to preserve and pass them on. I managed to escape from a provincial world, my native Ardèche, without financial means but with an extremely strong family background and therefore the possibility of joining major schools. This was a privileged breeding ground for me, I was able to enter the professional game straight away thanks to my university studies. And from there, I was able to demonstrate that by simply having elbow grease, arms and a good intellect, you could succeed. In my youth, I also saw people from the suburbs not having the same opportunities as me. Now if my professional success is perhaps due to my talents, it also comes from the fact that I was born in France where there is a true republican meritocracy. So as soon as I was able to give back in my own way what France had given me, I did it.
With Jamel Debbouze at the Jamel Comedy Club, in Paris, May 22.
Paris Match / © Alexandre Isard
Through the Culture & Diversity Foundation?
Yes, in particular. It is made to show that everything is possible. Since young people from the most modest backgrounds have managed to enter the cultural sector thanks to what we offered them, when they thought that these activities were not for them! We have trained sculptors, curators, filmmakers… We have given them an opening to the world, necessary to dream big. And for that, you have to have your eyes open and anticipate the jobs of tomorrow. Look at these young people who launched start-ups twenty years ago and who have made a fortune since then!
I always thought that you had to have a social conscience
Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière
What has culture brought you?
I’m going to answer you the other way around: I never recognized myself in a society where profit was the objective of companies and where consumption for citizens was the purpose of the company. I always thought you had to have a social conscience. And so, somewhere, an entrepreneur must lead a double life! One at the service of her business, the other at the service of the city. And from this idea, I made choices, investing in the field of culture and that of health. Above all, culture gives you immense self-confidence because it puts you face to face with human creativity. And this is what allows you to flourish even more. And on a personal level, culture has always brought me a lot of pleasure.
With political advisor and businessman, Alain Minc, tennis partner at Polo, in Paris.
© DR
If you had to choose a work, a book or a film that really had a profound impact on you, which would it be?
Ah, I don’t like answering these kinds of questions! But a film like “Chariots of Fire” had a profound impact on me because it shows how one can experience exceptional success while respecting others. It’s almost a film that has conditioned my professional life, because it carries the message that you can succeed, have almost excessive ambition while respecting a certain number of values…
And with his wife Véronique Morali, from Victoria Peak in Honkong.
© DR
You have always refused to donate the sums allocated to the projects you support. For what ?
Because everything is relative. A billionaire who gives 200,000 euros cannot be put on the same level as someone who earns 100,000 euros per year and gives 1,500 euros… The highlighting of the sums donated by everyone is never put forward. parallel to what is gained. I find it more important to know if, with the money you give, you can ensure that fewer women die from heart disease. Fimalac represents 4.5 billion in assets and the Ladreit de Lacharrière family gave 10% to the Marc Ladreit de Lacharrière Foundation.
What would you like people to remember from your action?
That I have made my small contribution to a more humanist, more philanthropic and more humane society.
