A paragliding accident in 1993 rendered Philippe Pozzo di Borgo a quadriplegic, triggering a profound shift in his life and the eventual publication of his 2001 memoir, A Second Wind. This transition moved him from a career in the champagne industry to a public figure whose personal experiences became the subject of numerous international films.
Early Career and Business Roles
Born in 1951 in Tunis, Philippe Pozzo di Borgo was the second son of a French duke and the Marquise de Vogue. He descended from a noble lineage that originated in the 1500s. After his formal education, he entered the champagne trade, eventually serving as a manager at Moët and Chandon before advancing to the role of director at Pommery. Beyond these corporate leadership positions, he held the title to the Hôtel de Maisons, a historic hôtel particulier located in Paris.
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Following the 1993 paragliding accident that left him paralyzed, Pozzo di Borgo faced severe physical and psychological challenges. During this difficult period, he made a suicide attempt by wrapping an oxygen tube around his neck. His recovery and daily existence were later documented through his relationship with his Algerian attendant, Abdel Sellou, a dynamic that formed the core of his literary and cinematic legacy.
Cinematic Adaptation and Legacy
The narrative of his life and his bond with Sellou gained widespread attention through the 2003 documentary A la vie, à la mort. This story reached a global audience via the 2011 biographical film The Intouchables. The narrative was subsequently adapted into several international remakes, including the 2016 Telugu production Oopiri, the 2016 Tamil film Thozha, the 2016 Argentine film Inseparables, and the 2017 American film The Upside. In 2012, he was recognized for his contributions and life story with an appointment as a Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Final Years
Philippe Pozzo di Borgo passed away on 1 June 2023 at the age of 72. His death occurred in Marrakech, and he was subsequently buried in Alata. Throughout his later years, he maintained his identity as a writer and entrepreneur, ultimately leaving a record as a figure who transitioned from the upper echelons of French industry to a noted memoirist.
Fast facts
- Born: 1951, Tunis
- Died: 1 June 2023, Marrakech
- Burial site: Alata
- Primary occupations: Entrepreneur and writer
- Notable honor: Knight of the Legion of Honour (2012)
- Memoir: A Second Wind (2001)
- Citizenship: France
Questions readers ask
What were the primary films based on his life?
His life was depicted in the 2011 French film The Intouchables, along with remakes including Oopiri, Thozha, Inseparables, and The Upside.
Did he hold any specific business titles?
He served as the director of Pommery and held a management position at Moët and Chandon.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour — 2012
- Holdings: Hôtel de Maisons
