Who Is Bernard Tapie? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on January 26, 1943, Bernard Tapie was a prominent French businessman, politician, and media figure who garnered both admiration and controversy throughout his life. He gained significant attention in various sectors, including business and politics, and passed away on October 3, 2021. Despite his untimely death, his influence remains imprinted on the French landscape. Tapie's journey from the humble beginnings of growing up in a working-class family to becoming a billionaire entrepreneur is a testament to his resilience and drive.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | January 26, 1943 |
| Age | 78 Years |
| Birth Place | Paris, Occupied France |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | France |
| Date of death | 3 October, 2021 |
| Died Place | Paris, France |
Popularity
Bernard Tapie's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Although exact measurements specific to Bernard Tapie during his later life remain somewhat elusive, it is noted that he had a charismatic presence. His height was approximately 5'9" (175 cm), and he maintained a sturdy build until his health began to decline due to his battle with cancer.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Bernard Tapie was married to Dominique Tapie, with whom he shared a deep bond until his passing in 2021. The couple had children together, adding to their family legacy. Throughout his life, Tapie was known for his vibrant personality, and although specific details regarding past romantic relationships have been less publicized, he had a close-knit family, ensuring that his personal life was often kept private.
In 1985, Tapie bought the sailing ship Club Méditerrannée from the wife of disappeared French navigator Alain Colas. The boat was transported to Marseille, where Tapie had his football team, and restored for two years. It was renamed Phocea and was at that time the longest sailing ship in the world (225 ft).
Tapie took command of it with a new crew in 1988 and broke the world record for crossing the Atlantic Ocean.
Net Worth and Salary
At the time of his passing, Bernard Tapie had an estimated net worth of around €800 million ($950 million), accumulated through various business ventures, media appearances, and investments throughout his career. His financial journey was marked by significant highs and lows, particularly during legal battles and bankruptcy proceedings. His ability to bounce back from financial hardship exemplified his indomitable spirit and business acumen.
In the 2010s, following an arbitration condemning the State to pay him 403 million euros in compensation in the context of the Crédit Lyonnais affair, he was prosecuted again, his death putting an end to the criminal proceedings.
Career, Business and Investments
Bernard Tapie’s career spanned numerous industries, including textiles, sports, and media. He was renowned for his role as the president of the Olympique de Marseille football club in the 1990s, leading the club to victory in the UEFA Champions League. His entrepreneurial ventures included ownership of companies like the advertising and marketing firm, and he was known for his engaging on-screen presence as a television and radio personality.
Throughout his career, Tapie was always in the spotlight, whether it was for his successful corporate strategies or his contentious political engagements. His investments were often significant, leading him down paths of both triumph and controversy, yet he remained a notable figure in France until his final days.
His political career ended due to his legal troubles. Involved in several financial scandals, he was convicted in the VA-OM affair (for which he was imprisoned in 1997 for nearly six months), in the Phocéa affair and in the Testut affair.
Social Network
Though Bernard Tapie is no longer with us, his legacy persists on various social platforms where fans and biographers share memories of his life and accomplishments. His official accounts on platforms like Twitter and Facebook continue to celebrate his impact on both business and sports.
In 1993, the same year that Marseille won the Champions League, he was accused of fixing the match between his club and minor club Valenciennes; the motivation seemed to be that he could thus save his best players for important matches and not waste their energy.
His club was stripped of its French league championship, although not of the Champions League title, and later suffered a forced relegation to the second division because of this match-fixing suspicion. In 1994, Tapie was under criminal investigation for complicity of corruption and witness tampering.
After a high-profile case against public prosecutor Éric de Montgolfier, he was sentenced in 1995 by the Court of Appeals of Douai to two years in prison, including 8 months non-suspended and three years of deprivation of his civic rights.
Education
Details surrounding Tapie's educational background are limited, but he began his professional journey immediately after high school, opting to enter the business world directly rather than pursuing higher education. His success in business was often attributed to his innate entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on approach to learning and growth in various industries.
From 2001 to 2005, Tapie acted in theater plays and appeared in the French TV series Valence as a police chief. In 2018, Tapie was diagnosed with double cancer (stomach and esophagus). He was later treated in France and in Belgium, partially with experimental treatments. In 2023, Netflix released the biographical limited series Class Act.
