The journalist Pierre Bénichou, died in the night from Monday to Tuesday, at the age of 82, announced his son Antoine. Columnist on Europe 1 with Laurent Ruquier for 14 years, he also held senior positions in the "Nouvel Obs".

The journalist Pierre Bénichou, who had held high office in the Nouvel Obs , before making himself known to the general public as a columnist for "Big Heads" on RTL , died in the night from Monday to Tuesday, at 82 years old, announced his son Antoine to AFP.

High office at the "New Obs"

"He died in his sleep" at his home, and his death is not related to the coronavirus, said Antoine Bénichou. Born on March 1, 1938 in Oran, Pierre Bénichou had embarked on journalism after studying at the Sorbonne. It was in 1968 that he joined the Nouvel Observateur , first as assistant editor-in-chief, before being appointed editor-in-chief ten years later. He became deputy director in 1985 then deputy director from 1996 to 2005, before retiring from the newspaper, where he had kept the title of special adviser.

Columnist on Europe 1 between 2000 and 2014

He gained fame in the 1990s, becoming a columnist for RTL's "Big Heads". His earthy banter hits the bull's eye and he becomes a speaker appreciated by listeners. He later joined Laurent Ruquier on Europe 1, which included him in his band of columnists, notably for the program "On va s'gêner" between 2000 and 2014.