In brief
Madeleine Riffaud, a celebrated figure of the French Resistance and a distinguished journalist, has died at 100.
Madeleine Riffaud, known as ‘the Girl Who Saved Paris,’ passed away on November 6 at her residence in Paris, leaving behind a legacy as a brave anti-Nazi guerrilla and an influential war correspondent. She lived a life marked by courage and resilience, bearing witness to the atrocities of war and the fight against oppression.Riffaud’s journey into resistance began humiliatingly in November 1940, when, at just 15 years old, she was kicked to the ground by a German officer at a railway station. Experiencing this humiliation triggered a profound transformation; she resolved to join the French Resistance. "That moment decided my whole life," she recalled in a 2006 interview.She quickly connected with the Resistance while in Grenoble for tuberculosis treatment, having contracted the illness during her studies in Paris. Riffaud’s significant acts of bravery include surviving three weeks of torture and celebrating her 20th birthday by aiding in the capture of 80 Nazis from an armored supply train.In her later years, Riffaud became a passionate anticolonial war correspondent, using her platform to address global issues and injustices. Her contributions to journalism and poetry are widely recognized, making her an influential figure not only in France but also in the international community.Her publisher, Dupuis, announced her passing and celebrated her life of activism and creativity.
