Who Is Issei Sagawa? Age, Biography and Wiki
Issei Sagawa, an infamously known figure hailing from Japan, was born on April 26, 1949. Sagawa gained notoriety for his criminal acts during the late 1970s when he committed murder and cannibalism in France. His life has been marked by complex psychological issues and a controversial trial that attracted significant media attention. By 2025, Sagawa's life story continues to evoke discussions surrounding morality, deviance, and the justice system.
| Occupation | Murderers |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | April 26, 1949 |
| Age | 73 Years |
| Birth Place | Kobe, Japan |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | Japan |
| Date of death | 24 November, 2022 |
| Died Place | Tokyo, Japan |
Popularity
Issei Sagawa's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
As of 2025, Issei Sagawa's physical stature is a topic of interest due to his past:
- Height: Approximately 5 feet 4 inches (162 cm)
- Weight: Varied through the years, but reported at around 130-150 lbs (59-68 kg)
- Measurements: Due to his frail physical condition in his later years, specific body measurements remain less documented, but his mental state overshadowed his physical attributes.
Sagawa's fragile health and introverted personality led to him developing a strong interest in literature. Sagawa first experienced cannibalistic desires while in the first grade, after seeing a male's thigh.
In a 2011 interview with Vice, Sagawa reported that, as a youth, he committed bestiality on his dog and experienced cannibalistic desires for women. Sagawa attended Wako University and completed a master's degree in English Literature at Kwansei Gakuin University.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
While Issei Sagawa has not publicly disclosed details about his family or relationships since his trial and subsequent release, it is believed that he remains single. His notorious past made establishing a conventional romantic relationship challenging. Any current dating life or significant others remain largely speculative, as Sagawa has shunned the media spotlight in recent years.
Sagawa's father, Akira Sagawa, was a businessman who had served as president of Kurita Water Industries, and his grandfather had been an editor for The Asahi Shimbun. He immediately developed enteritis, a disease of the small intestine. Sagawa eventually recovered after several injections of potassium and calcium in saline.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Issei Sagawa's net worth is estimated to be around $1 million. His earnings stem primarily from book deals, interviews, and his controversial media presence. However, the crime that initially brought him notoriety heavily influences public perception and potential business dealings.
Career, Business, and Investments
Throughout the years, Issei Sagawa has been involved in various endeavors. After his release from confinement, he found a niche in writing and became a minor media personality. He authored several books about his experiences and was occasionally featured in documentaries discussing cannibalism and criminal psychology. His controversial past, however, limits many traditional career opportunities.
Social Network
Sagawa's presence on social media has been minimal, reflecting his desire for privacy in later years. While there have been fan pages and discussions surrounding him, he has not actively participated in platforms such as Instagram or Twitter.
Education
Issei Sagawa attended educational institutes in both Japan and France. He studied literature and had a keen interest in Western culture, which significantly influenced his actions and thoughts. His education played a crucial role in shaping his literary pursuits later in life, despite his notorious background.
On 11 June 1981, Sagawa, then 32, invited his Sorbonne classmate Renée Hartevelt, a Dutch woman, to dinner at his apartment at 10 Rue Erlanger, under the pretext of translating poetry for a school assignment. Sagawa planned to kill and eat her, having selected her for her health and beauty, characteristics he felt he lacked.
Sagawa considered himself weak, ugly, and small (he was 145 cm [4 ft 9 in] tall) and claimed he wanted to absorb her energy. She was 25 years old and 178 cm (5 ft 10 in).