Marjane Satrapi, Iranian-French author of graphic novel 'Persepolis', dies aged 56
By Hugo LhomedetJune 4, 20269:03 PM GMT+9:30Updated 13 hours ago
French-Iranian artist Marjane Satrapi poses in front of the Olympic tapestry in Paris, France, March 12, 2024. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab
PARIS, June 4 (Reuters) - Marjane Satrapi, the Iranian-French artist, filmmaker and author of the autobiographical graphic novel "Persepolis", has died aged 56, French President Emmanuel Macron's office said on Thursday.
"Her passing is that of a figure of French culture and of an artist enamored of freedom, whose work carried a universal message and had earned her immense international renown," the Elysee said in a statement.
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A statement released by members of her family to the French news agency AFP said she had died of "sadness" a little over a year after the death of her husband, Swedish actor, producer and screenwriter Mattias Ripa. No further information about the cause of her death was available.
Born in 1969, Satrapi spent her childhood in Tehran in a communist-leaning household. Her parents sent her to Vienna as a teenager, before she returned to Iran to study fine arts and later settled in France, where she continued her training in Strasbourg.
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She drew on that life of revolution, exile and return in "Persepolis", the stark black-and-white memoir that chronicled her childhood during and after Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. The book became an international success and was later adapted into an animated film, which won the jury prize at Cannes and was nominated for an Academy Award.
Satrapi's work mixed political defiance with dark humour and a stripped-down visual style, making her one of the best-known graphic novelists of her generation. She went on to direct films including "Chicken with Plums", "The Voices" and "Radioactive", about scientist Marie Sklodowska Curie.
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Satrapi also designed a nine-metre wool triptych for the Paris 2024 Olympics, showing athletes competing around the Eiffel Tower.
Satrapi also became a prominent voice on exile, women's freedom and authoritarianism, frequently using her public platform to denounce repression in Iran.
In 2025, she refused the Legion of Honour, France's top order of merit, citing France's "hypocritical attitude" toward Iran, French media reported.
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"I can't continue seeing the children of Iranian oligarchs come to spend their holidays in France, even become naturalized, while at the same time young dissidents have difficulty in obtaining a tourist visa to come to see what the country of the Enlightenment and human rights looks like," she wrote at the time.
Reporting by Hugo Lhomedet Editing by Peter Graff
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Kris Alison
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According to the French media, she "died of sadness" after losing her husband last year. I'm grateful for the humanizing grace the French journalists used in reporting on her death. My heart goes out to her.
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Phil Heiple
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I am saddened to learn of the death of Marjane Satrapi. Her book and movie Persepolis meant a lot to me. Her autobiography of growing up in Iran before, during, and after the revolution informed my world view greatly and affected me personally. Her artwork influenced mine (I was an editorial cartoonist at my college newspaper).
She died at 56 of grief after her beloved husband died a year ago.
If you are unfamiliar with her work, I recommend. I keep her books and movie next to my copies of Maus. I think they are on a par with Maus. They should be next to each other on your bookcase as well.
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Behrang Edjtehadi
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It reminds us of a profound reality in the psychology of creativity and the lives of artists. Many artists, especially those who have endured years of repression, exile, injustice, social marginalization, and violations of their fundamental human rights, possess exceptionally sensitive and emotional dispositions. They often experience both personal and collective suffering more intensely than others, and it is precisely this sensitivity that becomes a source of their artistic creation.
From a psychological perspective, human beings require meaningful emotional bonds in order to sustain motivation, purpose, and hope in life. This need is often even more pronounced among artists and intellectuals, who derive a significant part of their identity from deep human connections. The presence of an emotional anchor, a loving companion, a trusted confidant, or a compassionate partner, can provide meaning, stability, and the strength to carry on.
When such an emotional foundation is lost, particularly after years of external pressures and internal wounds, an individual may find themselves confronting a profound void of meaning, motivation, and hope. Such experiences remind us once again of the vital importance of emotional support, love, empathy, and mental well-being in human life, especially for artists and social activists.
May the memory of Ms. Marjane Satrapi and all artists who translated the suffering of their times into the language of art remain forever honored.
Behrang Ejtehadi
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Christine Lim
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Rest in power Marjane, your story changed my thinking about Iran🥀
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Allen Gee
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That was a brilliant graphic novel. May she rest in peace.
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Soledad Freites Garza
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Rest in peace Marjane! Thank you for sharing your story in a meaningful way ❤️
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Lorraine Gagliardotto Garry
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A Brilliant story teller
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Iran News Wire
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Very few artists manage to shape how an entire country is understood abroad. Through a deeply personal story, Satrapi helped millions of people see Iran as a society of individuals rather than a political headline. ❤️
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Ghirmai Negash
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I learned the power of graphic novels from you. May you rest in eternal peace!
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D Louise Moore Solomon
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May her Memory be a Blessing
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Althea Valle
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Loved that graphic novel. RIP
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Robin Anderson Poulides
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I’m so sad to hear this. I loved her book  Persepolis. It is brilliant.
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Gráinne Tobin
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I feel really sorry about this. Persepolis means a lot to me. And that euphemism, " died of sadness" is just heartbreaking.
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Dan Kost
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Oh she was great. Sad to hear this.
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Magda Szeitz
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She will live on...in her Art & Inspiring Independent Soul.
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Bob Rini
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Persepolis was excellent work.
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Naila Nabiyeva
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Rest in Peace, Marji ❤
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Ibra Him
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Rooh va ravanesh shad!🌷
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Maurício Abreu
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🖤
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Haleh Shahrzad
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Still in the state of shock and disbelief! She will be missed by so many... Rest in power, daughter of Iran! 🖤
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