With 37.2% women among the 508 new members, the 2025 edition of the Who’s Who in Francethe “red bible of active people” which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, recorded the strongest increase in women in its history, its publisher Franck Papazian announced on Monday, November 18.
“We are sometimes in difficulty in bringing women to positions of responsibility. This is a real subject depending on the evolution of the realities of professional life, including Who’s Who is only the reflection. Our second priority is to highlight young talents in all regions of the country, based on those who are in the right direction to have a very good career. added Franck Papazian.
“Last year, we had only 18% women. Our road map is still to achieve parity. We are not there yet, but it is already much better and I hope we will achieve it in 2026″
Frank Papazian, Editor of Who’s Who
Published annually, the Who’s Who lists some 20,000 personalities from all walks of life (business leaders, politicians, soldiers, scientists, journalists, artists, athletes, craftsmen, etc.) “contributing to the activity and influence of France”. Each year, an anonymous selection committee selects the personalities who have distinguished themselves “by their talents”.
Launched in 1953 by the publisher Jacques Lafitte, the first Who’s Who in France had 5,000 names, of which only 1% were women. Each duly verified biographical note indicates the members’ background, their responsibilities and their professional contact details. “With its 100% verified biographical sketches, the Who’s Who is more than ever irreplaceable at a time of fake news”, souligne Franck Papazian.
Among 24 members under 30, the youngest member of the Who’s Who 2025 is Iris Daverio, 24 years old, principal flute at the Paris National Opera. The oldest is magistrate Simone Rozès, 104 years old. Valérie André, 102, military doctor and helicopter pilot, first woman to be appointed general officer in France, is another centenarian of the Who’s Who, also with the philosopher and sociologist Edgar Morin, 103 years old.
Among the newcomers are the actress Emilie Dequenne, the pastry chef Nina Métayer, Luména Duluc, president of the Reference Association for Cybersecurity in France (Clusif), and the director of the daily Libération Dov Alfon.
Among the 19,021 members of the 2025 edition, there are 45% in the business community, 19% senior civil servants, political figures and diplomats, 11.2% personalities from the cultural sphere, 5% craftsmen. art and as many researchers and academics.
