PARIS — Marjane Satrapi died at the age of 56, the French presidency announced on Thursday. A statement from close acquaintances attributed her death to profound grief.
Satrapi was elected to the French Academy of Fine Arts in 2024. The Princess of Asturias Foundation awarded Satrapi the 2024 prize for Communication and Humanities.
In a statement, the French presidency said: "Her passing marks the loss of a leading figure in French culture and an artist devoted to freedom, whose work carried a universal message and earned her immense international acclaim."
Satrapi authored the autobiographical graphic novel "Persepolis" and co-directed its 2007 animated film adaptation. "Persepolis" received the Jury Prize at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. The film also won the César Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2008 and received an Academy Award nomination for Best Animated Feature that same year.
Iranian officials filed a letter with the French Embassy in Tehran to protest the screening of "Persepolis" at the Cannes Film Festival. Satrapi said: "What we wanted to say is, if these people scare you, look closer: They have parents, they have lovers, they have hope, they have stories."
Satrapi was born on Nov. 22, 1969, in Rasht, Iran. In 1983, she relocated to Vienna, Austria, to continue her education. Satrapi returned to Iran in 1989 and earned a degree in visual communications from Tehran University.
Satrapi moved to France in 1994 and acquired French citizenship in 2006. She authored the graphic novels "Broderies" and "Poulet aux prunes" before it was adapted into a film. Satrapi also directed the feature films "La Bande des Jotas" and "Radioactive" and "Dear Paris." She established a foundation to assist international students with studying film in Paris.
In 2023, Satrapi co-edited a volume titled "Femme, vie, liberté" which documented Iranian protests. She encouraged support for the movement. Satrapi said in a public letter: "Supporting the women's revolution in Iran cannot be reduced to photos or speeches. When people are fighting for democracy, we should support them."