“For 40 years, he put all his money into it”: Bernard Pivot’s heartbreaking daughter opens up about the end of her life

Cécile Pivot, Bernard Pivot's youngest daughter, paid tribute to her father in an unpublished book. In it, she recounts the memorable memories and moving end of life of the famous man of letters.

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The presenter and writer Bernard Pivot died on May 6, 2024 at the age of 89 from cancer. He had made his two literary shows Apostrophes and Bouillon de culture big ratings and had given a taste for reading to millions of French people.

IN BRIEF

• Cécile and Agnès Pivot publish “Le Goût des autres”, a book about their father Bernard Pivot, famous host of “Bouillon de culture”.
• The book reveals a Bernard Pivot attached to his family, balancing professional life and key family moments.
• Discover how Bernard Pivot was able to combine professional success and family values ​​in this moving testimony.

In their book “Le Taste of Others”, Cécile and Agnées Pivot offer a poignant testimony about their father, Bernard Pivot, the famous host of the show Bouillon de culture. Through a collection of personal photos and touching anecdotes, the two sisters reveal a little-known side of this man who was deeply attached to his family and to literature.

Bernard Pivot, a devoted father balancing professional and family life

Throughout the pages, Cécile Pivot paints the portrait of an attentive and loving father who, despite a demanding career, knew how to make himself available to his family. As she browses through the 75 family photo albums, she rediscovers a man deeply anchored in his values, ensuring that bring together loved ones at key moments, such as parties or summer get-togethers.

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For Cécile, writing this book was “the best way to keep her father with her“.  The book also teaches us that despite a successful career, Bernard Pivot attached great importance to his personal life. He made sure to bring his loved ones together at key moments, especially during holidays or summer gatherings. “Every summer, he would get the whole family together”, his daughter remembers. These shared moments allowed his children to understand and share the very essence of his values: simplicity, rigor and love of words.

Bernard Pivot's final years, marked by serenity and passion

Despite the weight of the years, Bernard Pivot remained faithful to himself until the end, living his last years with “a lot of kindness and humor“, as his daughter confided. This serenity, rare for a public figure of his stature, marked his loved ones, with whom he loved to share simple moments.

His departure from Beaujolais, the region of his heart, did not dampen his optimism. “When we sold our house, he never complained. On the contrary, he was delighted with this new life“, remembers Cécile.

For Cécile and Agnès Pivot, this book is much more than a simple biography: “This book is a treasure trove of memories”. With tenderness and sensitivity, the two sisters were able to transcribe the significant moments of a life dedicated to French literature and culture.